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DAY  BY  DAY: 


A  COMPILATION  FEOM  THE  WRITINGS  OP 


ANCIENT  AND  MODERN  FRIENDS. 


WILLIAM   HENRY   CHASE. 


•'  The  kingdom  of  God  is  not  in  word  but  in  power."—!  Cor.  iv.  20. 


THIRD   EDITIOK 


AUBURN  : 

DENNIS  BRO'S  &  THORNE,  PUBLISHERS. 

1870. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1869,  by 

DENNIS  BRO'S  &  THORNE, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Northern  District  of 

New  York. 


BEMNIS  BRO'S  A  THOBNB, 
8TBBBOTYPKR8,  ArBXTRN,  X.  T. 


''''  I  found  no  narroiimess  [in  fny  hearf\  res= 
pecting  sects  and  opinions  ;  hut  believed  that 
sincere,  uprigkt=kearted  people,  in  every  so* 
ciety,  who  truly  love  God,  were  accepted  of 
Him/' 

JOHJ^  WOOLMAJ^. 


86718 


PREFACE   TO   THE   THIRD  EDITIOK 


THE  favorable  reception  that  the  two  preceding 
editions  of  "  Day  by  Day"  have  met  with,  has 
induced  me  to  offer  the  third,  trusting  that  this,  too, 
may  find  its  way  into  many  homes.  I  fervently  hope 
that  it  may  be  another  means,  through  Divine  aid,  of 
drawing  many  of  those  who  shall  read  it  into  the 
straight  and  narrow  way — the  only  way  of  safety  and  of 
true  happiness ;  while,  to  the  faithful  in  Christ,  it  may 
be,  through  His  blessing,  a  daily  support  and  comfort. 

In  presenting  this  work  it  has  been  a  precious  privi- 
lege, for  me,  to  extend  to  my  beloved  brethren  every- 
where, the  blessed  invitation  that  Andrew  gave  to  his 
brother  Peter,  to  come  unto  Christ.  Now  that  my  part 
of  this  labor  is  nearly  accomplished,  may  it  go  on,  how- 
ever, out  of  my  hands,  and  like  the  snow  and  the  rain,  not 
return  to  the  Lord  void,  but  prosper  in  the  thing  whereto 
it  may  be  sent. 

The  simple  but  glorious  expression  —  "Looking  unto 
Jesus" — is  pre-eminently  set  forth  in  the  testimonies  of 
the  one  hundred  and  thirteen  witnes^ses  who  are  intro- 
duced to  the  reader,  as  well  as  in  the  lives  of  "  a  cloud 
of  faithful  ones"  within  the  borders  of  the  Society  of 


VI  PREFACE    TO    THE    THIRD    EDITION. 

Friends,  extending  in  a  continuous  line  through  its  whole 
history. 

One  of  the  objects  which  has  prompted  to  the  publi- 
cation of  these  extracts,  has  been  to  present  to  those  of 
the  Society  of  Friends  who  are  not  familiar  Avith  our 
literature,  a  few  precious  germs  of  truth  herein  con- 
tained, with  the  view  of  inducing  such  to  acquaint  them- 
selves more  with  the  writings  of  our  accredited  authors. 

Ours  is  a  portion  of  the  Christian  Church  which  h^s 
borne  an  unusual  share  of  suffering  and  persecution  ;  but 
through  tliis  great  fight  of  affliction  it  is  sweet  to  ob- 
serve the  firm  and  faithful  testimony  that  our  prede-^ 
cessors  maintained  to  the  spirituality  and  simplicity  o\ 
the  Gospel  dispensation.  Should  not  we,  then,  their 
children,  feel  a  responsibility  resting  upon  us  to  uphold 
with  prayerful  zeal  these  important  trutlis  ? 

I  cannot  refrain  from  giving  just  here  the  pertinent 
and  concise  language  of  William  Dewsbury,  an  ancient 
Friend,  in  regard  to  the  rise  of  this  people.  He  says; 
"  We  are  not  persons  that  have  shot  up  out  of  the  old 
root  into  another  appearance,  as  one  sect  has  done  out. 
of  another,  till  many  are  come  up  one  after  another,  the* 
ground  still  remaining  out  of  which  they  all  grew ;  but 
that  very  ground  hath  been  shaking,  destroyed  and  is 
destroying,  removed  and  is  removing  in  us." 

I  take  this  opportunity  of  acknowledging  my  gratitude 
to  my  Christian  hrethren^\\\xQ\\<^\Q>\\\j  \\\^  land,  for  their 
uniform  expressions  of  encouragement  and  sympathy 
thus  extended. 


PREFACE   TO   THE    THIRD    EDITION.  VU 

A  few  of  these  kind  testimonials  have  been  added  at 
the  close  of  this  edition. 

May  we,  then,  one  and  all,  "endeavor  to  keep  the 
unity  of  tlie  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace,"  and  come  expe- 
rimentally to  feel  that  "one  is  (our)  Master,  even  Christ, 
and  that  all  (we)  are  brethren." 

William  Henry  Chase. 


Ukion  Springs,  Cayuga  Co.,N.  Y., 
fcjccoud  Mouth,  1870. 


INDEX. 


ADcn,  Margaret 55 

Alexander,  Mary 49,  295 

AUen,  John. .  .31,  97,  207,  232,  256,  301, 
310. 

Allen,  William 12,182,183 

Atkine,  Esther 57 

Barclay,  John 13,  78,  91, 109, 123, 

144, 164,  204,  250,  292. 
Barclay,  Robert 5, 15,  99,  213,  240, 

258,  287,  313,  328,  348. 
Barrough,  Edward 146,  205, 230, 

279,  341. 

Bacfehouse,  Ann 56 

Backhouse,  Jonathan 110,  356,  362 

Bowden,  James 107 

Backhouse,  Hannah  C. .  .185,  267,  282, 

299,  Mi. 

Bo\vnas,  Sam'l 40, 71, 102,  249,  290 

Bettle,  Jane 243 

Crisp,  S 312 

Churchman.  John 25,  53,  226, 251 

Crouch,  William 26 

Corder,  Susanna 50 

Chalkly,  Thomas.... 22,  37,  54,  66,  105, 
159,  238,  252,  266,  231,  294. 

Capper,  Mary 106, 132,  133,  136 

Conron,  John  ..  .112, 124, 154,  200,  227 

Congdon,  James,  Clerk 195,  222 

Crook,  John 280 

Collins,  Elizabeth 69 

Caton,  William.  176 

Davies,  Richard 52 

Dudley,  Charlotte..  .187,  202,  231,  278, 
322,  344. 

Dudley,  Elizabeth 203,  345 

Dymond,  Jonathan 269, 285 

Dillwyn,  George 163,  216,  332 


Evans,  Jonathan 35 

Ellwood.  Thomas 82.  B-j.  86,  87,  88 

Ellis,  William 284 

Evans,  Thomas 29,  208,  296,  360 

Fox,  George  1,  63,  75, 147,  148, 149, 150 
151,  161,  162,  217,  275, 8,  43. 

Forster,  William 6,7 

Fox,  Margaret 21,  »73 

Ferris,  David 39,  121 

Fry,  Elisabeth 160,  246, 298 

Fothergill,  Dr.  1 28 

Fothergill,  John 169 

Fox,  Maria 23,  174,  271 

Gurney,  J.  J. . .  .3,  74,  84,  201,  228,  253. 

254,  265,  274,  277,  300,  306  336, 

349. 
Grellet,  Stephen 16,  47,  72,  76, 

131, 194,  248. 
Gurney,  Elisabeth. . .  .41, 127,  156,  229, 

255. 

Gurney,  Priscilla 58,  77,  103 

Gurney,  Hannah  C 184 

Grubli,  Sarah 309,  319,  359 

Gwinn,  Thomas 270 

Gilpin,  M.  A 79,  179,  326,327 

Hutchinson,  Jonathan 65,  211,  220, 

^1,  259,  304,  305i  311,  314,  324, 
334,  347,  350. 

Hagger,  Mary 90,  lit),  134 

Howland,  George 120,  141 

Hull,  Henry 260,  261,  262,  2<« 

Hunt,  Nathan 191,  223 

Jordan,  Richard 18 

Jones,  Rebecca 2a3,  234,  235,  237, 

257,  302,  333,  346. 

Jaffray,  Alexander 188,  257,  823 

Jewsbury,  M.  J 297,388 


INDEX. 


King,  ElizabethT 215 

London  Epifttle 11, 14,42,  45,  73, 

170,  221,  283. 

Ledra,  William 44 

Loe,  Thomas 193 

Lewis,  Enoch 17,92 

Murray,  Lindley 19 

Middleton,  Maria 145,168 

Merritt,  Anna.... 177 

Marshall,  Chaa 48 

.  Mott,  A 239 

Neale,  Sam'l 5^42,  2&4,  318 

Naylor,  James 27 

Nicholson,  E.. 335 

Penin?ton,  Isaac 2,  4, 142,  340 

Pamcll,  James.. 122, 186,  210,  303,  339 
Penn,  Wildam 40,  &4,  80,  98, 152, 

165,  244. 

Pemberton,  John 60 

Pease,  Rachel, 68,330 

Proude,  Mary 137, 138,  139 

Penns  and  Peningtons 94,  95,  96 

140, 14:J,  180. 

Penington.  Mary 157, 158 

Phillips,  Catharine 129,  208,  272 

Payton,  Catharine 236,  327 

Peisley,  Mary 315,  316,  317 

Pike,  Joseph 172 

Robson,  Elizabeth 70 

Ronth,  John 171 

Routh,  Alice 286 


Reynolds,  Richard 103,  289,  320 

Story,  Thomas.  .329,  354,  353,  363,  364, 

365. 
Shillitoe,  Thos  89,  Ul,  351,  .352,  .353,  355 

Sands,  David 20, :«,  62, 178 

Shackleton,  Richard. . .  .10,  :»,  83,  111,        J 

125,  155,  219,  245,  276,  308,  321, 

337. 

Samble,  Richard 126 

Smith,  Thomas ^'.166,167 

Stephenson,  Isaac 173 

Scott,  Job..... 198,225 

Savery,  Wm 51,  206,  212,  307 

Scattergood,  Thomas 331,  357 

Spriugett,  Mary 93 

Taber,  Elizabeth 214 

Tallcot,  Joseph 197 

rallcot,  J.  and  S 36 

Taylor,  Charles 343 

Woods,  Margaret, 9,  .38, 100,  101, 

128,  163,  209,  218,  28S,  361. 

White,  Joseph 24 

Whitehead,  George..  .34, 101,  135,  .330 
Woolman,  John 61,  130,  18l,  199, 

224,  291. 

Withy,  George 67 

Wheeler,  Daniel 113,  114, 115,  116, 

117, 118,  175,  189,  190,  192. 
Waring,  S 325 

Yeardley,  Eliz  ibcth .32 

Yeardley,  Marha 59,  81 

Yeardley.  John 196,  247,  2S>3 


FiKST  Month  1.] 


"  Wherefore,  holy  brethren,  partakers  of  the  heavenly  callinj?,  consider  the 
Apostle  and  High  Priest  of  our  profest^ion.  Christ  Jesus."— Hebrews  iii.  1. 

TO  all  my  clear  friends  and  brethren,  everywhere.  He 
that  hath  the  Sou  of  God,  hath  life ;  all  that  have 
not  the  Son  of  God,  have  not  life.  The  Son  of  God  is 
He  who  makes  free  from  all  sin,  and  is  come  to  deface 
and  destroy  the  image  of  the  devil,  and  to  renew  us  up 
in  the  image  of  God,  and  so  to  bring  us  to  walk  in 
righteousness.  Praises  be  unto  the  glorious  God  for 
ever,  who  has  sent  his  Son  into  the  world  to  take  away 
the  sins  of  the  world. 

And  all  friends  walk  worthy  of  your  calling  in  all 
holiness,  for  holiness  becomes  the  saints;  without  holi- 
ness no  man  shall  see  the  Lord.  And  every  one  improve 
your  talents,  laboring  in  the  vineyard,  dressing  in  the 
Lord's  vineyard,  that  ye  may  be  found  faithful  servants, 
and  all  walking  in  love  to  God  and  to  one  another.  Lo, 
God  Almighty  be  with  you  all !  The  dew  of  heaven  is 
falling  upon  you  to  water  the  tender  plants;  and  the 
blessing  of  God  be  amongst  you,  which  showers  down 
amongst  you !  The  heavenly  joy  fill  your  hearts,  and 
comfort  you  in  the  inward  man  in  all  tribulations.  The 
glorious  light  is  shining  ;  the  immortal  is  springing  forth 
out  of  death  ;  the  prisoners  have  hope  of  their  pardon 
the  debt  being  paid  and  they  freely  purchased  by  ChiisiN 
blood  ;  and  He  is  come  into  the  prison  houses  ;  the  ]  ris 
oners  begin  to  sing  in  hope  of  their  eternal  freedo.n 
leaping  for  joy  of  heart ;  and  the  dumb  tongue  shall  sing 
praises — George  Fox^  1053. 


DAILY    IJEADINGS.  [First  Month  J 


"  And  we  have  known  and  believed  the  love  that  God  hath  to  us.  God  is  love  \ 
and  he  that  dwelleth  in  love  dwelleth  in  God  and  God  in  him. —First  Epistle  of 
John  iv.  16. 


AND  this  my  soul  waits  and  cries  after,  even  the  full 
springing  up  of  eternal  love  in  my  heart,  and  in 
tlie  swallowing  of  me  wholly  into  it,  and  the  bringiui:; 
of  ray  soul  wholly  forth  in  it,  that  the  life  of  God  in  its; 
own  perfect  sweetness  may  fully  run  forth  througli  this 
vessel,  and  not  be  at  all  tinctured  by  the  vessel,  but  per- 
fectly tincture  and  change  the  vessel  into  its  own  natui*e ; 
and  then  shall  no  fault  be  found  in  my  soul  before  th« 
Lord,  but  the  spotless  life  be  fully  enjoyed  by  me,  and 
become  a  perfectly  pleasant  sacrifice  to  my  God.  Oh  ! 
how  sweet  is  love  !  How  pleasant  is  its  nature  !  How 
takingly  doth  it  behave  itself  in  every  condition,  upon 
every  occasion,  to  every  person,  and  about  everything  I 
How  tenderly,  how  readily  doth  it  help  and  serve  the 
tieanest !  How  patiently,  how  meekly  doth  it  bear  all 
•»hings,  either  from  God  or  man,  how  unexpectedly 
soever  they  come,  or  how  hard  soever  they  seem !  How 
doth  it  believe,  how  doth  it  hope,  how  doth  it  excuse^ 
how  doth  it  cover  even  that  which  seemeth  not  to  bo 
excusable,  and  not  fit  to  be  covered !  How  kind  is  it 
even  in  its  interpretations  and  charges  concerning  mis- 
carriages !  It  never  overchargeth,  it  never  grates  upon 
the  spirit  of  him  whom  it  reprehends,  it  never  hardens, 
it  never  provokes,  but  carrieth  a  meltingness  and  power 
of  conviction  with  it.  This  is  the  nature  of  God. — Isaac 
Penington. 


First  Month  3.]  DAILY    KEADINGS.  3 

"  If  the  tree  fall  toward  the  South,  or  toward  the  North,  in  the  place  where 
the  tree  falleth,  there  it  shall  be."— Eccl.  xi,  3. 

rr^HAT  there  is  a  solemn  meaning  couched  under  this 
JL  simple  metaphor,  no  Christian  can  doubt.  It  seems 
to  describe  the  change,  so  rapidly  coming  upon  us  all,  of* 
probation  for  eternal  fixedness,  when  the  awful  sentence 
will  be  heard,  "  He  that  is  unjust,  let  him  be  unjust  still ; 
and  he  that  is  holy,  let  him  be  holy  still ;  and  he  that  is 
filthy,  let  him  be  filthy  still."  *  But  the  tree  will  not  only 
lie  as  it  falls  ;  it  will  also  fall  as  it  leans  ;  and  the  great 
question  which  every  man  ought  to  bring  home  to  his  own 
bosom,  without  a  moment's  delay,  is  this — What  is  the 
inclination  of  my  soul  ?  Does  it,  with  all  its  affections, 
lean  towards  God,  or  from  Him  ? 

That  the  bent  of  all  men,  in  their  unregenerate  state,  is 
in  the  wrong  direction.  Scripture,  experience,  and  history 
unite  in  bearing  testimony.  Man,  by  nature,  is  the  child 
of  wrath  ;  he  has  inherited  from  his  first  parents,  in  the 
fall,  a  proneness  to  sin;  and  his  distinguishing  character- 
istic is  the  absence  of  that  love  to  God  which  is  absolutely 
indispensable  to  true  virtue  and  happiness. 

Hence  it  follows,  beyond  all  doubt  or  question,  that  we 
must  "  be  born  again,"  that  we  must  undergo  a  radical 
and  inward  change  before  we  can  live  to  the  glory  of 
God  in  this  world,  or  be  fitted  for  the  enjoyment  of  his 
presence  in  the  world  to  come.  "  Except  a  man  be  born 
of  water  and  of  the  spirit,  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of 
God."t— J:  J:  Gurney. 

*  Revelations  xrii.  11.  t  John  ill.  3-6. 


DAILY   READINGS.  [First  Month  4. 


"  If  ye  know  these  things,  happy  are  ye  if  ye  do  them."— John  xiii.  17. 

WHAT  is  obedience  ?  It  is  the  subjection  of  the 
soul  to  the  law  of  the  Spirit;  which  subject 
tion  floweth  from,  and  is  strengthened  by  love.  To 
wait  to  know  the  mind  of  God,  and  perfonn  his  will  in 
everything,  through  the  virtue  of  the  principle  of  life 
revealed  within  ;  this  is  the  obedience  of  faith.  This  is 
the  obedience  of  the  seed,  conv^ed  into  the  creature  by 
the  seed,  and  it  is  made  partaker  of  the  seed.  He  is  the 
son  who  naturally  doth  the  will ;  he  is  the  faithful 
witness  who  testifies  concerning  the  will ;  yea,  and  he  is 
the  choice  servant  also. 

If  I  could  obey  in  all  things  that  God  requires  of  me, 
yet  that  would  not  satisfy  me,  unless  I  felt  obedience 
flow  from  the  birth  of  his  life  in  me.  "  My  Father  doth 
all  things  in  me,"  saith  Christ.  This  was  Christ's  com- 
fort. And  to  feel  Christ  do  all  in  the  soul,  is  the  com- 
fort of  every  one  that  truly  believes  in  him. 

True  obedience,  gospel  obedience,  is  natural  to  the 
birth  which  is  bom  of  God.  It  is  unnatural  to  the  flesh, 
to  man's  wisdom,  to  deny  himself  and  take  up  the  cross ; 
but  it  is  natural  to  the  tnith  which  is  born  of  God'r* 
spirit.  "That  which  is  bom  of  the  Spirit,  is  Spirit;" 
and  it  is  natural  to  it  to  be  conversant  in,  and  exercised 
about,  that  which  is  spiritual. 

Honoring  and  pleasing,  and  answering  the  will  of  the 
Lord,  is  the  proper  aim  of  the  truly  obedient.  Oh  !  how 
do  they  delight  to  do  the  will  of  God  !  "I  have  meat," 
saith  Christ,  "that  ye  know  not  of." — Isciac  Penington. 


PiBBT  Month  5.]  DAILY    RP:ADING8. 


"  For  he  was  a  good  man,  and  ftiU  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith ;  and  much 
people  was  added  unto  the  Lord."— Acts  xi.  24. 

AND,  Oh  blessed  God !  Thou  hast  been  graciously 
pleased  to  begin  a  good  work,  a  glorious  work 
of  righteousness,  in  our  day  and  time.  Blessed  God  and 
Father !  we  humbly  pray  Thee,  carry  it  on,  and  make  it 
prosper.  Prosper  the  souls  of  thy  people  in  it,  that  they 
may  be  a  growing,  thriving,  and  increasing  people  in  Thy 
holy  ways,  and  in  Thy  blessed  work ;  and  as  Thou  hast 
sown  a  precious  seed,  and  planted  a  noble  vine  by  Thine 
own  almighty  hand,  and  hast  given  us  a  root  of  life,  the 
foundation  of  our  faith,  love,  and  obedience;  which  foun- 
dation Thou  hast  laid  in  Zion.  Lord,  keep  thy  people 
sensible  of  it,  that  they  may  mind  it,  and  wait  upon 
Tliee  and  be  preserved  in  that  root  of  life  whence  thy 
blessing  is,  that  Thy  people  may  partake  of  Thy 
blessing  and  grow  up  into  the  nature  of  that  life,  to 
bring  *forth  fruit  to  Thee,  to  increase  in  faith  and  love, 
in  obedience,  and  humility,  and  meekness ;  that  the  life 
of  true  Christianity  may  be  promoted  and  increased 
among  thine  heritage;  that  they  may  live  in  it,  and 
shine  forth  in  it,  as  Thy  workmanship,  which  Thou  hast 
created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  faithfulness  in  all  good 
works ;  that  they  may  walk  in  them.  Our  souls  are 
deeply  engaged  to  Thee,  and  we  have  cause  to  bless,  and 
praise,  and  honor  Thy  great  and  excellent  name  ;  and 
through  Thy  dear  Son,  to  offer  up  praise  and  thanks- 
giving to  Thy  great  and  excellent  Majesty.  Amen. — 
Robert  Barclay. 


DAILY    READINGS.  [First  Month  6. 


"  It  is  good  for  a  man  that  he  bear  the  yoke  in  his  youth.  He  sitteth  alone  and 
keepeth  silence,  because  he  hath  borne  it  upon  him."— Lam.  iii.  27,  28. 

OMY  God,  the  prayer  of  my  heart  at  this  time  is 
that  Thy  hand  may  not  spare,  nor  Thine  eye  pity, 
until  Thou  hast  made  me  what  Thou  wouldst  have  me 
to  be.  Curb,  I  pray  Thee,  my  rambling  thoughts,  when 
gathered  from  the  world  and  the  cares  thereof  to  sit 
down  in  solemn  silence  as  at  Thy  footstool.  Grant  me, 
O  Lord,  I  beseech  Thee,  faith  to  believe  in  Thy  sufficiency 
for  every  good  thing,  and  my  insufficiency  for  the  same ; 
and  to  believe  in  the  redemption  from  sin  unto  salvation, 
through  Thy  dear  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  whom  Thou  made 
a  little  lower  than  the  angels ;  and  sent  Him  into  the 
world  to  be  crucified  for  poor  fallen  man. 

Most  glorious  Father !  if  I  may  but  call  Thee  so,  renew, 
if  it  be  Thy  ever-blessed  will,  my  faith  in  Thee  and  in  Thy 
ever-blessed  Son,  Jesus  Christ !  And  the  prayer  of  my 
heart  at  this  time  is,  that  righteousness  might  co\*er  the 
earth,  even  as  the  watei*s  cover  the  sea.  O !  blessed 
would  be  the  day.  Then,  indeed,  nation  would  no  more 
rise  up  in  war  against  nation,  nor  would  the  people  learn 
war  any  more,  which  at  this  day  is  too  sorrowfully  the 
case.  O  !  the  many  thousands  that  have  been  slain,  ay, 
and  the  tens  of  thousands,  within  these  ten  years,  on  the 
continent  of  Europe.  O  Lord,  the  prayer  of  my  heart 
is,  whilst  I  am  writing,  that  if  it  be  Thy  blessed  will,  in 
Thy  own  time,  which  is  the  best  time,  and  must  be  waited 
for  before  we  can  do  anything  aright,  that  Thou  will  extir- 
pate wars  from  every  land. —  Wm.  JFhrster,  1798,  aged  14. 


^-iRST  Month  7.]  DAILY    READINGS. 


''  In  the  morning  bow  thy  seed,  and  in  tlie  evening  witiihold  not  thine  hand : 
for  thou  knowet^t  not  whether  shall  prosper,  either  this  or  that,  or  whether  they 
both  shall  he  alike  good." — Eccl.  xi.  0. 

WE  are  deeply  bowed  before  thee,  O  God,  under  a 
sense  of  wli.at  we  are,  and  of  thine  hifinite  ma- 
jesty. Yea,  we  tremble  inwardly  w^hen  M'e  look  at  our- 
selves, and  contemplate  what  we  are  by  nature,  an<l 
what  we  should  have  been  through  sin,  had  not  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  appeared  to  wash  away  our  defilements,  our 
transgressions,  our  sins — our  many  and  sad  sins — in  his 
precious  blood  !  These  our  sins — we  confess  in  trem- 
bling of  soul  and  utter  abasement  our  most  unworthy 
condition — stare  us  in  the  face;  but  we  pray  that  we 
may  arise  from  this  condition,  and,  as  deeply  humble 
:ind  contrite  penitents,  cast  ourselves  on  thy  free  mercy 
in  Jesus — and  run  to  the  fountain  ever  open  for  sin  and 
tor  uncleanness,  and  thus  be  restored  to  thy  favor,  and  a 
■neasure  of  thy  holy  likeness.  Lord,  look  down  upon 
;his  people ;  regard  its  poverty,  its  low  estate  ;  listen  to 
thine  elect  who  cry  day  and  night  before  Thee.  Have 
regard  to  those  who  weep  before  thine  altar.  And,  Oh ! 
we  ask  all  help,  all  strength,  all  wisdom,  all  peace,  all 
love  from  Thee,  the  inexhaustible  fountain  of  all  thy  pre- 
cious gifts.  O,  ever-glorious  God,  give  us  good  hope, 
some  soul-enlivening  sense,  that  our  sins,  which  are*  so 
many,  have  been  washed  away,  have  been  cast  behind 
Thee,  no  more  to  be  remembered,  for  the  sake  of  Ilim, 
our  ever-living  and  sympathizing  High  Priest,  the  Lamb 
for  ever  glorified. —  W/n.  Forster^,  1853,  as^ed  69. 


DAILY    KKADINGS.  [First  Month  8 


"  From  the  rising  of  the  eun,  even  to  the  going  down  of  the  same,  my  Name 
Fhall  be  great  a.uong  the  gentiles ;  and  in  every  place  incenee  shall  be  oftered 
unto  my  Name,  and  a  pure  offering ;  for  my  Name  Bhall  be  great  among  the 
heathen,  sailh  the  Lord  of  hosts."— Mai.  i.  11. 

'•  The  Lord  reigneth  ;  let  the  earth  rejoice,  let  the  multitudes  of  the  islcb  be 
glad.  Let  everything  that  harh  brodt.i  praise  the  Lord,  for  the  Lord  taketb 
pleasure  in  his  people.  He  will  beautify  the  meek  witli  salvation."— Psalms 
xcvii.  1 ;  cxlix.  4. 

MY  friends,  who  are  gone  or  are  going  over  to 
plant  and  make  outward  plantations  in  Amer- 
ica, keep  your  own  plantations  in  your  hearts,  with  tht 
Spirit  and  Power  of  God,  tliat  your  own  vines  and  lilies 
be  not  hurt.  And  in  all  places  where  you  do  outwardly 
live  and  settle,  invite  all  the  Indians,  and  their  kings, 
and  have  meetings  with  them  or  they  with  you ;  so  that 
you  may  make  inward  plantations  with  the  light  and 
power  of  God  (the  Gospel)  and  the  grace,  and  trutli,  and 
spirit  of  Christ ;  and  with  it  you  may  answer  the  Light, 
and  Truth,  and  Spirit  of  God,  in  the  Indians,  tiieir  kings 
and  people  ;  and  so  by  it  you  may  make  heavenly  planta- 
tions in  their  hearts  for  the  Lord,  and  beget  them  to 
God,  that  they  may  serve  and  worship  Him,  and  spread 
his  truth  abroad  ;  and  so  that  you  all  may  be  ke]>t  warm 
in  God's  love,  power,  and  zeal  for  the  honor  of  his  name, 
"  that  his  name  may  be  great  among  the  heathen,"  or 
gentiles;  and  ye  may  see  over,  or  be  overseers  with  the 
'loly  Ghost,  which  was  before  the  unclean  ghost  got 
Milo  man  and  woman.  So  with  tliis  Holy  Giiost,  you 
may  see,  ond  oversee,  that  the  unclean  ghost  and  his 
works  may  be  kept  out  of  the  camp  of  God. —  George 
Fox,  1682. 


First  Month  9.j  DAILY'    KKADIxXGS. 


"T  will  sing  of  mercy  and  judgment:  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  will  I  sing." — 
Psalm  ci.  1. 


THE  comfortable  reflection,  that  a  watchful  Providence 
regulates  every  event,  and  that  nothing  happens 
to  us  but  for  wise  and  good  ends,  greatly  tends  to  alleviate 
every  earthly  care,  and  prevent  that  anxiety  which  would 
otherwise  be  the  portion  of  mortals. 

If  sickness  or  even  death  approach  us  in  our  near  con- 
nections, if  prospects  of  various  sorrows  present  themselves 
to  our  view,  how  calm  is  that  mind  whose  dependence  is 
on  the  Lord,  who  considers  all  the  evils  of  this  life  as 
things  that  endure  but  for  a  moment ;  and  that  they  may 
work  "for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of 
glory!" 

If  we  feel  that  all  is  riglit  within,  why  should  outward 
events  disturb  our  repose  ?  If  the  afflictions  we  meet 
witli  are  not  judgments  for  past  transgressions,  and  to 
rouse  us  more  to  a  performance  of  duty  in  future,  yet 
the  sorrows  that  encompass  us  tnay  be  designed  to  wean 
us  from  tills  sublunary  Morld,  and  engage  ns  to  fix  our 
atFections  on  heavenly  objects,  and  lay  up  for  ourselves 
treasures  where  no  thief  can  steal. 

However  discomposed,  however  aftlicted  we  may  be, 

yet  this  liope  still  remains,  a  never-failing  source  of  peace  ; 

and  the  mind  tliat  sincerely  desires  so  to  overcome  every 

propensity  to  evil,  as  to  be  accejited  in  the  sight  of  the 

most  holy  God,  will  feel  a  renewal  of  strength  to  get  t\ir> 

better  of  all  those  passions  which  vrar  against  its  peace. 

— Jf(f}y/arct  Woods,  1774. 
'  1 


10  DAILY    READINGS. 


[I'iRST  iMONTUlO. 


"  I  have  uo  greater  joy  than  to  hear  tliat  my  children  walk  in  truth."— 3 
John  4. 

MY  cry  is  for  humility  and  wisdom,  that  I  may  be 
mercifully  preserved  from  falling,  and  that  I  may 
not  be  tempted  to  exceed  the  life  and  authority  of  truth. 
[  know  nothing  more  excellent  nor  more  desirable  than 
the  living  virtue  of  it,  qualifying  our  spirits,  and  enabling 
us  to  move  in  the  Lord's  work.  I  wish  it  above  all  things 
for  ourselves ;  I  wish  it  above  all  things  for  our  children ; 
that  they,  as  well  as  we,  may  surrender  themselves  at  the 
Great  Captain's  discretion,  make  no  terms  of  capitulation 
in  yielding  up  the  citadel  of  their  hearts,  only  that  life, 
s])iritual  life,  may  be  granted  them,  that  they  may  be 
taken  into  the  service  of  the  Lord.  There  is  no  other  ser- 
vice which  is  attended  with  such  advantages ;  there  is 
safety  and  protection  in  it,  from  the  usurjDation  of  other 
lords  which  have  had  dominion ;  there  is  maintenance, 
clothing,  and  pay,  there  is  honor,  dignity,  and  immortal 
glory;  all  these  blessed  privileges  and  rewards  are  in- 
volved in  this  important  cause.  I  heartily  desire  that 
our  children's  obedience  in  all  things  may  keep  pace  with 
the  knowledge  communicated  to  them.  "  Hear  and  obey, 
and  your  souls  shall  live,"  is  worthy  of  all  accejitation. 
yirst,  to  be  diligent  in  waiting,  in  order  to  hear  the  still, 
small  voice,  which  is  of  private  interpretation  to  our  sev- 
eral states  individually ;  next  to  obey  in  submission  and 
faithfulness  the  discoveries  of  the  Divine  Will  in  the  jots 
Hud  tittles,  as  well  as  the  weightier  parts  of  the  law. — 
Richard  Shackleton^  1784. 


FmsT  Month  11.  ]  DAILY   READINGS.  11 

"  I  ihank  my  God  always  on  your  behalf,  for  the  grace  of  God  which  is  given 
you  by  Jesus  Christ,  that  in  every  thing  ye  are  enriched  by  him,  in  all  utter- 
ance, and  in  all  knowledge  ;  even  as  the  testimony  cf  Christ  was  confirmed  in 
you."— 1  Cor.  i.  4,  5,  6. 

AND,  dear  Friends,  as  our  forefathers  and  predeces- 
sors were  led  and  directed  by  the  spirit  of  truth 
publicly  to  proclaim  the  sufficiency  of  the  grace  of  God, 
inwardly  manifested  in  the  hearts  of  all  the  children  of 
men  ;  we  earnestly  desire,  that  above  all  things  the  di- 
rections of  this  heavenly  monitor  in  ourselves  may  be 
carefully  observed,  which  will  give  us  the  clearest  view 
of  our  several  and  respective  duties,  and  guide  us  into  all 
truth.  From  a  disregard  to  this  heavenly  and  universal 
principle  of  divine  light,  and  disobedience  to  its  holy 
guidance,  proceed  that  ignorance  and  depravity  which 
have  overspread  too  many  of  the  professors  of  Christian- 
ity. Let  us,  therefore,  who  are  in  an  especial  manner 
favored  with  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  inwardly  re- 
vealed, and  in  some  degree  made  experimental  witnesses 
of  its  power  and  efficacy,  beware,  lest  any  of  us  also  fall 
away,  and  lose  sight  of  that  inward  and  unerring  guide, 
which  alone  is  able  to  keep  us  steadfast  and  unmoveable 
in  the  practice  of  pure  and  undefiled  religion,  preserve  us 
from  the  spots  and  pollutions  of  the  world,  make  us  wise 
unto  salvation,  and  enable  us  to  perform  that  which  is 
good  and  acceptable  in  the  sight  of  God.  To  whom,  for 
the  comfortable  influences  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  all  his 
other  manifold  blessings,  both  spiritual  and  temporal,  be 
glory,  dominion,  and  praise  ascribed,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  cur  Lord  and  Saviour. — London  Epistle^  1749. 


12  DAILY    HEADINGS.  [  First  Month  12. 

''"When  I  consider  thy  heavens,  the  work  of  thy  fingers,  the  moon  and  the 
star?,  which  thouliast  ordained;  what  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him? 
and  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest  him  ?"— Psalms  viii.  3,  4. 

TES,  we  are  believers  in  divine  revelation.  Some 
of  us  have  pursued  the  path  of  science,  have  in- 
vestigated the  wonderful  works  of  the  Creator,  have 
been  permitted  to  obtain  a  glimpse  of  those  simple  yet 
sublime  and  beautiful  laws  by  which  the  universe  is 
governed,  and  b)^  which  that  harmony  and  order,  so  es- 
sential to  the  preservation  of  the  whole,  are  invariably 
maintained.  The  smallest  insect  which  the  microscope 
can  discover,  so  beautifully  organized  in  all  its  parts,  so 
complete  for  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  created,  pro- 
claims Omnipotence  as  loudly  as  those  vast  bodies  which 
revolve  round  the  sun  at  different  distances,  and  with 
different  degrees  of  velocity.  The  very  earth  which  we 
inhabit,  carrying  seas  agitated  by  storms,  volcanoes, 
bodies  everywhere  in  motion  in  all  directions,  yet  re- 
volves upon  its  axis  with  a  precision  which  no  time-piece 
will  ever  be  able  to  equal.  They  who  have  pushed  their 
inquiries  the  furthest  into  the  works  of  the  great  Crea 
tor,  see  at  every  step  fresh  subjects  for  admiration  and 
astonishment,  and  are  most  deeply  convinced  that  such 
marks  of  contrivance  and  design,  such  beautiful  adapta- 
tion of  means  to  ends,  could  only  be  produced  by  a  Be- 
ing infinite  in  wisdom  and  in  power,  before  whom  the 
most  intelligent  of  the  sons  of  men  dwindles  into  absolute 
insignificance. —  William  Allen. 

A  wise  man  makes  what  he  learns  his  own. 


FinsT  Month  13.]  DAILY    READINGS.  13 

"  But  unto  yon  that  fear  my  name  shall  the  Sun  of  Righteou!*neHs  arise  with 
healing  in  his  wings."— Mai,  iv.  2. 

HOW  beautiful,  how  glorious  alight  is  it,  to  beliold 
the  sun  iu  the  morning  when  it  issues  from  its 
bed  of  crimson  hue,  when  it  gradually  ascends  tlie  hori- 
zon, dissipating  the  dusky  gloom  of  fading  night,  an<l 
tinging  every  object  in  nature  witli  its  golden  rays.  And 
Oh!  may  I  not  say,  that  through  the  blessing  of  a  gra- 
cious Creator,  I  am  enabled  almost  daily  to  witness  the 
spiritual  arising  of  the  "  Sun  of  Righteousness  with  healing 
in  his  wings."  Surely  the  day-spring  hath  visited  and  is 
visiting  me,  and  assuredly  the  end  and  purpose  of  his 
arising  is  the  same  that  it  was  formerly,  even  "  to  give 
light  to  them  that  sit  in  darkness  and  m  the  shadow  of 
death,  to  guide  their  feet  into  the  path  of  peace."  I 
think  I  say  not  amiss,  when  I  declare  my  belief,  that 
the  light  within  me  seems  to  get  bnghter,  and  the  fire 
warmer  almost  every  day.  Oh  !  that  I  may  be  content 
to  remain  in  the  refiner's  fire,  that  so  I  may  become  pu- 
rified and  refined  from  everything  evil. 

I  have  been  long  in  much  trouble  and  difiiculty  about 
changing  my  dress,  as  well  as  adopting  those  other  dis- 
tinctions and  testimonies  which  Friends  uphold  and 
practice;  and  my  anxiety  respecting  these  things  has 
been,  lest  I  should  take  them  up  without  good  ground, 
and  without  being  clearly  and  indubitably  sensible  that 
these  sacrifices  are  called  for.  Indeed  I  have  gone 
mourning  on  ray  way,  day  after  day,  and  night  after 
n  igh  t. — John  Barclay,  1816. 


14  DAILY    READINGS. 


[First  Month  14» 


"  To  him  the  porter  openeth  ;  and  the  sheep  hear  his  voice  :  and  he  callet) 
hia  own  sheep  by  name,  and  leadeth  them  out.  And  when  he  putteth  forth  hi» 
own  sheep,  he  goeth  before  them,  and  the  sheep  follow  him :  for  they  know  hi^ 
voice."— Johd  x.  3,  4. 

AND  now,  dear  Friends,  the  wonderful  mercy,  and 
goodness,  and  power,  and  blessed  presence  of  th^ 
Eternal  Immortal  God  hath  been  manifest  this  year  in 
all  our  meetings,  and  Friends  wonderfully  preserved  by 
his  special  divine  providence  in  this  difficult  and  suf- 
fering time.  The  Lord  our  God  is  worthy  to  have  all 
the  praise,  glory  and  honor ;  for  his  presence  and  power 
was  manifest  beyond  words  !  Blessed  be  his  name  for 
ever  !  And,  therefore,  that  all  may  walk  worthy  of  his 
blessings  and  mercies  !  And  that  all  may  keep  and  walk 
in  Christ  Jesus  the  sanctuary !  For  in  him  is  peace  and 
safety  ;  who  destroys  the  destroyer,  the  enemy  and  adver- 
sary. For  Christ  is  your  sanctuary  in  this  day  of  storm 
and  tempest ;  in  whom  you  have  rest  and  peace.  And 
therefore,  whatever  storms  and  tempests  do  or  should  arise 
within  or  without,  Christ  your  sanctuary  is  over  them 
all :  who  has  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth  given  unto 
him  ;  and  none  is  able  to  pluck  his  lamb^  and  sheep  out 
of  his  Father's  or  his  hand,  who  is  the  true  shepherd  : 
neither  are  any  able  to  hurt  the  hair  of  your  head,  except 
it  be  permitted  by  his  power,  for  your  trial.  And  there- 
fore rejoice  in  his  power,  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  hath 
the  victory  over  all,  both  within  and  without.  He  by 
whom  all  things  were  made,  and  who  is  over  all; 
the  First  and  th-*  Last  i  the  Amen. — London  Ejoistle, 
1683. 


First  Month  15.]  DAILY    ItEADINGS.  15 

"  Who  can  find  a  virtuous  woman  ?  for  her  price  is  above  rubies."— Prov. 
xxxi.  10. 

CHRISTIAN^  M.  BARCLAY,  wife  of  R.  Barclay, 
was  religiously  inclined  from  her  youth;  and 
{)ublicly  embraced  the  testimony  of  truth,  in  the  love  of 
it,  in  early  years,  viz  :  about  the  sixteenth  year  of  her  age, 
and  that  through  many  hardships  and  sufferings,  in  which 
she  walked  all  along  suitably  to  what  she  professed.  Her 
travail  was  great  for  the  prosperity  of  the  blessed  truth, 
and  for  all  who  professed  it,  that  they  might  witness 
possession,  which  is  far  better  than  profession. 

She  laid  herself  out  to  assist,  and  give  advice  to  sick 
people;  and  supplied  their  necessities,  especially  the 
poor ;  many  of  whom  came  ten,  twenty,  thirty,  and  some 
forty  miles,  receiving  great  benefit ;  for  her  success  was 
wonderful;  and  great  is  the  lamentation  made  for  her 
removal  among  the  poor  and  sick. 

She  was  a  well  accomplished  woman  every  way,  and 
of  singular  virtues,  which  she  improved,  to  the  praise  of 
the  Lord.  When  we  call  to  mind  the  solidity,  the  sound- 
ness, the  seriousness,  that  attended  her  ;  the  care  and  con- 
cern she  was  under  that  no  slackness  or  unconcernedness 
might  be  in  the  church,  but  that  diligence  might  be  used 
to  make  our  calling  and  election  sure ;  the  great  and 
daily  concern  which  was  attended  with  a  good  effect,  foi- 
the  preservation  of  her  children  and  grandchildren  ;  and 
how  exemplary  she  was  before  them:  we  cannot  avuid 
lamenting  the  loss  of  her, — From  the  Life  of  R.  Barclay^ 


16  DAILY    HEADINGS.  [FiusT  Moxm  16. 

"  With  him  is  au  arm  of  flesh  ;  but  with  us  is  the  Lord  our  God  to  help  as 
and  to  fight  our  battles."— 2  Chronicles  xxxli.  8. 

ONCE  more  I  am  risen  again  iVom  what  threatened 
to  be  my  last  earthly  conflict — risen  to  be  again  a 
witness  that  the  Lord  is  verily  a  God  near  at  hand  in 
troubles  and  sufferings — yea,  my  beloved  sister,  to  under- 
stand a  little,  with  thyself,  the  meaning  of  that  Scripture, 
"  Glorify  ye  the  name  of  the  Lord  in  the  fire."  O  that 
I  may  more  abundantly  glorify  him  in  all  my  affliction, 
in  every  part  of  the  short  residue  of  my  life,  and  in 
my  death  ;  and,  through  the  unmerited  mercies  of  a  gra- 
cious Redeemer,  be  rendered  meet  to  glo:ify  liirn  during 
eternity. 

On  Opening  of  the  Crystal  Palace. — The  congre- 
gation of  so  many  persons  from  so  many  nations  that 
are  expected  to  be  then  in  London,  has  brought  me  into 
very  serious  and  solemn  consideration ;  and  perhaps 
thou  wilt,  and  may  indeed  smile,  when  I  tell  thee  that  I, 
poor  I,  like  an  old  worn-out  race-horse,  which,  on  hearing 
the  sound  of  the  horn  or  trumpet,  is  all  animation,  ready 
to  start,  so  thy  poor,  old,  feeble  friend  has  felt  so  much 
of  the  love  of  Christ  and  his  gospel  toward  such  an  ex- 
pected multitude,  that  he  thought,  should  the  command 
be  given,  there  would  be  a  willingness  to  try,  at  least,  to 
limp  or  creep,  though  not  to  run  as  foi'merly. — Stephen 
GrelleL 

While  with/ioldififf.  Thou  art  giving. 

In  thine  own  appointed  way  ; 
And  while  waitivg^  we're  receiving, 

Blc8?ingP  suited  to  our  day. 

-  Janb  Crbwdson 


First  Month  17  ] 


DAILY    READINGS.  17 


''  If  any  man  serve  me,  him  will  my  Father  honor."— John  xii.  2(». 

WM.  PENN"  furnishes  a  remarkable  instance  of  the 
acquisition  of  solid  and  durable  fame,  by  meani^ 
which  in  their  commencement  appeared  totally  destruc- 
tive of  that  end.  When,  upon  arriving  at  man's  estate, 
he  embraced  the  religious  principles  of  a  new  and  de- 
spised Society,  he  must  have  considered  himself,  and  been 
considered  by  others,  as  giving  np  all  his  prospects  of 
eminence  in  the  world.  The  mortification  which  his 
father  experienced,  upon  discovering  the  choice  he  had 
made,  unquestionably  arose  from  a  belief  that  he  was  re- 
nouncing the  path  of  eminence  and  fame  for  one  of  ob- 
scurity and  reproach.  To  see  his  only  son,  the  heir  appar- 
ent of  his  fortune  and  fame,  instead  of  pursuing  the  bril 
Hant  career  which  was  opened  before  him,  associating  with 
a  self-denying  people,  who  were  considered  as  the  offscour- 
ings of  the  earth,  was  more  than  his  philosophy  could  pa- 
tiently bear.  The  pacific  principles  of  the  Society  to 
which  he  was  united,  as  well  as  the  iincourtly  character 
of  their  peculiar  doctrines,  must  have  formed,  in  the  view 
of  Admiral  Penn,  an  insuperable  barrier  to  the  advance- 
ment of  his  son.  He  did  not  perceive  that  the  magna- 
nimity displayed  in  that  very  renunciation  of  eminence  and 
tame,  that  inflexible  adherence  to  the  path  of  apprehended 
duty,  *  *  *  would  assign  him  a  station  in  the  temple 
of  fame  incomparably  higher  than  that  which  the  admiral 
had  attained  with  all  his  heroism. — Enoch  Lewls^  Phihi' 
<lelphia,  1852. 


18  DAILY    READINGS. 


[First  Moxth  IS 


"  He  maketh  the  storm  a  calm,  so  that  the  waves  thereof  are  still.  Then 
are  they  glad  because  thej-  be  quiet  ;  so  he  bringeth  thera  unto  their  desired 
haven.  Oh  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goo  ness,  and  for  his  won- 
derful works  to  the  children  of  men  1"— Psalm  cvii.  ;30,  31. 

I  WAS  truly  glad  and  thankful  in  heart,  for  the  mer- 
ciful deliverance  vouchsafed  to  me  from  being  en- 
tombed in  the  mighty  deep,  though,  blessed  be  God,  in 
whom  I  was  enabled  to  put  my  trust,  when  the  counte- 
nances of  the  mariners  wore  a  dismal  aspect,  and  all 
hope  of  being  saved  was  nearly  gone,  I  never  quite 
lost  my  confidence  ;  no,  not  for  a  moment,  even  in  the 
greatest  extremity  of  danger.  At  one  time  in  particular, 
when  I  verily  thought  we  were  going  down  to  the  bottom, 
never  more  to  rise,  being  so  deeply  covered  with  the  roll- 
ing surge,  that  the  mighty  roaring  thereof  ceased  to  sound 
in  our  ears,  and  there  was  a  profound  silence  in  the  ship ; 
even  then  did  my  mind  feel  so  calm  and  quiet,  that  I 
could  not  doubt  of  being  clasped  in  the  arms  of  ever- 
lasting love ;  and  I  yielded  to  his  blessed  will,  saying 
in  secret.  Lord,  if  it  be  thy  blessed  will  that  this  shall  be 
my  grave,  I  yield,  if  T  may  but  go  down  clasped  in  the 
arms  of  thine  everlasting  love ;  or  if  thou  art  pleased  to 
bring  me  safe  to  land  again,  T  will  surely  sing  thy  praise, 
I  will  tell  of  thy  goodness  in  the  congregation  of  thy  peo- 
ple, I  will  speak  of  thy  wondrous  works. — Richard  Jor- 
{la9iy  1801. 

Tet  midst  the  toss  and  tumult, 

I  clasp  a  saving  arm, 
And,  clinging  to  its  strength,  the  storm 

Is  safer  than  the  calm  1 

— Janb  Ckkwdsow. 


First  Month  19.1  ^^"^^'   KKADINGS.  19 

"  For  the  redemption  of  their  soul  is  precious,  and  it  ceaseth  for  ever.    That 
ne  should  still  live  for  ever,  and  not  see  corruption."— Psalm  xlis.  8,  9. 

THE  greatest  blessing  which  was  ever  conferi-ted  on 
mankind — the  redemption  from  sin,  and  attain 
)nent  of  a  happy  immortality  by  the  atonement  and  in- 
tercession of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  I  con- 
template this  wonderful  proof  of  the  love  of  God  to  man 
as  an  act  of  mercy  and  benignity,  which  will  stimulate 
the  gratitude  and  love,  the  obedience,  praise,  and  adora- 
tion of  the  redeemed,  through  ages  that  will  never  end. 
This  high  dispensation  is,  in  every  respect,  adapted  to  our 
condition,  as  frail  and  sinful  creatures.  In  surveying  our 
offenses  and  imperfections  it  prevents  despondence,  di- 
rects us  where  to  look  for  relief,  and  freely  offers  us,  if 
we  are  truly  penitent,  and  believe  in  Christ,  pardon  and 
peace;  in  reflecting  on  our  religious  attainments,  it 
checks  presumption,  and  keeps  us  humble ;  and  amidst 
all  the  trials  and  troubles  of  life,  it  cheers  us,  with  the 
prospect  of  a  merciful  deliverance,  and  of  being  received 
into  those  blissful  regions  where  we  shall  be  secured, 
eternally  secured,  from  sin  and  sorrow ;  where  we  shall 
be  admitted  into  the  Divine  presence  and  unceasingly  cele- 
brate in  joyful  anthems  the  praises  of  the  Father,  th? 
Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  one  God  blessed  for  ever.  To 
them  who  obtain  this  glorious  and  happy  state,  all  the 
afflictions  of  the  longest  and  most  painful  life  will  then 
appear  to  have  been,  indeed,  light  and  momentary,  *  * 
compared  with  the  greatness  of  that  felicity,  and  the  end- 
less ages  of  its  continuance. — Lindley  Murray, 


20  DAILY   EEADIXGS. 


[First  Month  20 


"  He  that  believcth  on  the  Son  of  God  hath  the  witness  in  himself."—!   John 
r.  10. 

MANY  and  glorious  are  the  outward  testimonies  that 
God  has  given  to  the  Christian  religion,  both  in 
the  days  when  His  Son  Jesus  Christ  dwelt  on  earth  and 
went  about  doing  good  to  the  bodies  and  souls  of  many, 
and  in  the  time  of  the  ministration  of  the  apostles,  who 
followed  their  Lord  and  Master.  The  miracles  w^roughtj 
the  prophecies  fulfilled,  and  the  various  glories  attending 
the  ministration  of  the  Gospel  conspire  to  confirm  oar 
faith.  Each  of  thera  are  evidences  of  the  truth  a>>d 
divinity  of  this  doctrine,  and  all  of  them  joined  to- 
gether bear  such  a  testimony  as  cannot  be  resisted. 
We  live  in  these  latter  days  at  a  long  distance  of  time 
from  those  seasons  wherein  those  miracles  were  wrought, 
and  wherein  God  appeared  in  so  immediate  a  manner 
from  heaven  to  witness  to  the  truth  of  the  Gospel  of  his 
Son.  *  *  *  "VVe  are  not  left  void  at  this  day.  "  He 
that  believeth  hath  the  witness  within  himself."  There  is 
an  internal  testimony  given  to  the  Gospel  of  Christ  in 
the  heart  of  every  one  'that  receives  it  in  truth.  These 
are  the  beginnings  of  that  eternal  life  wrought  in  the 
fsoul,  which  the  Son  of  God  bestows  on  all  believersy 
"He  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life.''  Oh !  the  spiritual  life 
of  a  Christian  runs  into  eternity  I  It  is  the  same  Divine 
temper,  the  same  peaceful  and  holy  qualities  of  mind, 
communicated  to  the  believer  here,  in  the  days  of  grace 
and  visitation,  which  shall  be  fulfilled  and  perfected  in 
the  world  of  glory. — David  Sands,  1795. 


First  Month  21.]  DAILY  READINGS.  21 

"  I  thank  God,  whom  I  serve  from  my  forefathers  Avith  pure  conscience."— 2 
Tim.  i.  3. 

1"^  0  Almighty  God  I  appeal,  whom  I  serve  with  my 
spirit  ill  the  Gospel  of  His  Son  ;  whose  I  am,  and 
to  whom  I  am  given  up  with  mine  heart  and  soul  to  serve, 
who  hath  been  my  Father  and  leader  ever  since  I  knew 
Him  ;  who  hath  led  me  through  many  trials,  sufferings 
and  exercises  that  were  cross  to  flesh  and  blood ;  who 
hath  upheld  and  supported  me  therein  down  to  this  day. 
And  now,  in  my  old  age,  T  am  forced  to  renew  my  testi- 
mony again,  through  a  false,  lying  spirit,  gotten  up 
amongst  us  to  oppose  and  withstand  our  gracious,  blessed 
truth,  in  the  which  we  were  begotten,  and  in  the  which 
we  who  are  preserved  out  of  this  spirit  do  stand  in  that 
blessed  unity  of  the  eternal  spirit  which  joineth  up  to 
the  Lord,  and  one  to  another. 

But  an  imagining,  false,  and  untrue  spirit  hath  gotten 
into  some,  by  which  they  are  deluded,  and  Avill  not  see 
or  apprehend  by  any  means  used  to  give  them  satisfac- 
tion. Yet  for  the  satisfaction  of  Friends  and  others  I 
give  thus  my  testimony ;  while  I  breathe  upon  the  earth, 
then  T  shall  stand  up  for  God  and  truth  ;  He  that  taught 
mo  to  render  to  all  men  what  is  their  due,  and  not  to  owe 
anything  to  any  but  love.  In  that  which  is  religious 
and  just  God  hath  taught  us  and  manifested  His  will. 

And  He  commands  that  we  should  render  unto  Caesar 
the  things  that  are  Csesar's,  and  to  God  the  things  that 
are  God's,  which  I  shall  by  His  Holy  assistance  endeavor 
to  fulfill  both  to  God  and  man. — Margaret  Fox,  1701. 


y 


22  DAILY    HEADINGS. 


[  FiHST  Month  2 


"But  exhort  one  another  daily,  while  it  is  called  to-day  ;  leet  any  of  you  be 
hardened  through  the  deceitfulness  of  sin."— Heb.  iii.  13. 

IT  is  a  thing  truly  excellent  for  mortals  to  love,  serve, 
and  fear  him  that  made  them,  and  gave  unto  all 
life  and  being  ;  and  to  begin  this  work  betimes,  is  very 
advantageous  to  the  never-dying  soul.  It  is  an  indis- 
pensable duty,  which  is  incumbent  upon  every  one,  male 
and  female ;  and  whoever  is  found  in  the  neglect  thereof, 
will  certainly  have  cause  to  repent  it ;  and  unless  they 
repent  before  they  go  hence,  and  see  man  no  more,  will 
be  miserable  to  all  eternity.  This  solid  consideration 
hath  often  been  weighty  on  my  mind,  and  I  could  not  be 
clear,  as  I  thought,  in  the  sight  of  God,  without  laying  it 
before  men  and  women. 

Truth  commands  us,  reason  persuades  us,  and  example 
is  very  powerful  and  inviting,  that  the  children  of  men 
would  be  wise  to  salvation,  and  embrace  the  love  of  God 
in  his  dear  and  well-beloved  Son,  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
who  himself  said,  "  I  am  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life." 
Oh  !  surely  here  is  a  threefold  cord,  i.  e.,  truth,  reason, 
and  example,  which  is  not  easily  broken.  God  Almighty 
grant,  for  Christ's  sake,  that  by  it  poor  souls  may  be 
drawn  to  him,  even  now  in  their  tender  years.  To-day, 
to-day,  if  any  will  hear  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  let  them 
not  harden  their  hearts ;  for  that  is  provoking  to  him 
that  made  us.  How  know  we  whether  he  who  made  the 
heavens,  will  be  pleased  to  give  us  another  hour  ?  How 
know  we,  but  that  after  this  day  we  may  never  open  our 
eyes,  till  we  open  them  in  eternity  ? — Thomas  Chalkly 


First  Month  23  1 


DAILY    READINGS.  23 


'■'  I  charge  you,  O  ye  daughters  of  Jerusalem,  by  the  roes,  and  by  the  hinds 
of  the  fields,  that  yii^tir  not  up,  nor  aAvake  my  love,  till  he  please." — Cant.  ii.  7. 

FAR  be  it  from  me  to  give  an  opinion  as  to  what 
may  be  thy  future  path ;  the  great  Head  of  the 
church  chooses  his  own  instruments  as  it  pleaseth  Hira ; 
but  even  if  it  should  be  his  purpose  that  thou  shouldst  thus 
testify  thy  love  to  Him,  He  may  show  it  thee,  as  He  has 
done  to  many  others,  for  years  before  He  calls  to  the  pub- 
lic acknowledgment  of  it. 

I  believe,  also,  that  young  converts — those  who  are 
newly  awakened  to  the  value  and  importance  of  religion 
— are  very  apt,  in  the  ardor  of  their  feelings,  to  imagine 
they  are  called  to  great  things,  and  in  the  overflowings 
of  that  love  to  their  Saviour  which  may  be  raised  in  their 
heart,  to  believe  they  must,  as  thou  expressest  it,  "  speak 
his  praise  "  to  those  around  them;  but  it  does  appear  to 
me  to  be  oiie  of  the  very  successful  stratagems  of  our 
ever-watchful  enemy,  to  persuade  the  young,  as  soon  as 
they  begin  to  walk  in  the  right  way  themselves,  that  they 
are  called  upon  to  teach  others,  rather  than  abide  under 
the  blessed  teaching  which  would,  if  they  had  patience 
to  endure  its  secret  reproofs,  and  wait  upon  its  salutary 
though  silent  monitions,  in  due  time,  make  them  more 
capable  to  do  so,  in  their  daily  life  and  conversation.^ — 
3Iana  Fox,  183V. 

No  strength  have  we  to  do  thy  will. 

Except  as  thou  conflrrast  our  heart ; 
Say  to  opposing  waves,  Be  still ; 

Say  to  assaulting  fears,  depart. 

—Jane  Crewdson. 


24  DAILY    RKxVDINGS.  [First  Month  24. 

"  And  he  said  unto  me,  Write,  Blessed  are  they  which  are  called  unto  the 
marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb.  And  hesaith  unto  me,  These  are  the  true  pay- 
ings of  God."— ^e  v.  xix.  9. 

THE  door  is  open,  I  see  an  innumerable  company  of 
saints,  of  angels,  and  the  spirits  of  just  men, 
which  I  long  to  be  unbodied  to  be  with  ;  but  not  my 
will,  but  thine  be  done,  Oh,  Lord  !  I  cannot  utter,  nof 
my  tongue  express,  what  I  feel  of  that  light,  life,  and 
love  that  attends  me,  which  the  world  can  neither  give, 
nor  take  away  from  me.  My  sins  are  Avashed  away  by 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb  that  was  blain  from  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world  ;  all  rags  and  filthiness  are  taken  away, 
and  in  room  thereof  love  and  good  will  for  all  mankind. 
Oh,  that  we  may  become  more  united  in  the  church  mili- 
tant, and  nearer  resemble  the  church  triumphant !  Oh, 
that  we  all  might  make  such  an  end  as  I  have  in  pros- 
]iect:  for  it  is  all  light,  all  life,  all  love,  and  all  peace. 
The  light  that  I  see  is  more  glorious  than  the  sun  in  the 
firmament !  Come,  Lord  Jesus  Christ !  come  when  thou 
pleasest;  thy  servant  is  ready  and  willing;  into  thy 
hands  I  commit  my  spirit.  Not  my  will,  but  thine  be 
done,  Oh  Lord  !  I  am  near  to  enter  that  harmony  with 
Moses  and  the  Lamb,  where  they  cry,  "  Holy !  holy ! 
holy  !"  I  cannot  express  the  joy  I  feel.  If  any  inquire 
after  me,  after  my  end,  let  them  know  all  is  well  with 
me.  — Joseph  White,  1777. 

And  wilt  f/ioi/  be  mine  for  ever? 

Shall  I  live  with  thee  and  reip^n  ? 
Come,  these  mosiklerins?  chains  to  sever? 

Come,  for  death  to  me  is  gain. 

—J.  J.  Gurnet. 


riB8T  Month  25.]  »AILY    READINGS.  25 

"  I  must  work  the  works  of  him  that  sent  me,  while  it  is  day  :  the  night 
Cometh,  when  no  man  can  work."— John  ix.  4. 

A  CERTAIN"  sentence  has  been  presented  to  the 
view  of  my  mind,  which  seemed  to  contain  a 
gentle  engaging  caution,  and  matter  of  instruction  to  me, 
attended  with  sweetness ;  which  was,  "  Work  while  it  is 
day."  Friends,  this  is  our  day,  wlierein  we  ought  to  be 
diligent  and  industrious.  In  the  light  of  the  day  we  may 
see  and  understand  how  to  work,  and  wliat  to  do,  that  at 
the  conclusion  we  may  obtain  from  the  Master  of  the 
day,  who  dwelleth  in  light,  the  answer  of  well  done ;  for 
the  night  will  come,  wherein  no  man  can  work.  We  are 
favored  with  liberty  in  this  day,  to  assemble  together  for 
worship  unmolested ;  and  my  hearty  desire  is,  that  we 
may  properly  improve  this  mercy ;  for  the  time  to  some 
of  us  may  come,  before  our  day  in  this  life  is  closed 
wherein  this  privilege  may  in  some  measure  be  taken  from 
us.  Something  in  me  would  be  ready  to  say.  The  Lord 
forbid  that  it  should  be  the  case ;  but  by  reason  of  the 
great  declension  which  has  overspread  the  church,  I  hardly 
dare  to  expect  any  other.  Oh !  may  Ave  therefore  be  care- 
ful to  prize  the  mercy  of  God,  and  endeavor  to  gain  an 
inheritance  in  the  light,  that  wdien  night  overtakes,  and 
darkness  as  to  the  outward,  may  hang  over  us,  we  may  be 
favored  to  withdraw  into  the  sure  hiding-place,  and  know 
a  quiet  habitation. — John  Churchman. 

No  bark  hath  ever  foundered, 

Willi  such  a  Friend  on  board. 
No  ponl  was  ever  cast  away 

With  such  a  Saviour  Lord. 

— Janb  Ckewdson. 


26  DAILY    HEADINGS. 


[First  Month  26. 


'•  Set  a  watch,  O  Lord,  before  my  mouth ;  keep  the  door  of  my  lips." — 
P^^ahn  cxli.  3. 

HE  tliat  easily  credits  an  ill  report,  is  almost  as 
faulty  as  the  first  inventor  of  it ;  for  though  you 
do  not  make,  yet  you  commonly /)ro^a^a^e  a  lie.  There- 
fore never  speak  evil  of  any  upon  common  fame,  which 
for  the  most  part  is  false ;  but  almost  always  uncertain 
whether  it  be  true  or  not.  * 

Let  us  accustom  ourselves  to  pity  the  faults  of  men, 
and  to  be  truly  sorry  for  them,  and  then  we  shall  take 
no  pleasure  in  publishing  them.  This  common  humanity 
requires  of  us,  considering  the  great  infirmities  of  human 
nature,  and  that  we  ourselves  also  are  liable  to  be  tempted. 

Whenever  we  hear  any  man  evilly  spoken  of,  if  we 
know  any  good  of  him,  let  us  say  that.  It  is  always  the 
more  humane  and  the  more  honorable  part,  to  stand  up 
in  the  defense  and  vindication  of  others,  than  to  accuse 
and  injure  them. 

That  you  may  not  speak  ill  of  any,  do  not  delight  to 
hear  ill  of  them.  Give  no  countenance  to  busy-bodies, 
and  those  that  love  to  talk  of  other  men's  faults. 

And  lastly,  let  us  set  a  watch  before  the  door  of  our 
lips,  and  not  speak  but  upon  consideration  ;  I  do  not 
mean  to  speak  finely,  but  fitly;  especially  when  thou 
speakest  of  others,  consider  of  whom,  and  wliat  thou  art 
going  to  speak  ;  before  thy  words  slip  from  thee,  which, 
when  they  are  once  out  of  thy  lips,  are  for  ever  out  of  thy 
poioer. —  Wm.  Crouch  to  his  children. 


FiKST  Month  27.] 


DAILY    KEADINGS.  27 


"  The  four  and  twenty  ciders  fall  down  before  him  that  pat  on  the  throne,  and 
worship  him  that  liveth  for  ever  and  ever,  and  cast  their  crowns  before  the 
throne."— Rev.  iv.  10. 

THERE  is  a  spirit  which  I  feel,  that  delights  to  do 
no  evil,  nor  to  revenge  any  wrong,  but  delights 
to  endure  all  things,  in  hope  to  enjoy  its  own  in  the  end. 
Its  hope  is  to  outlive  all  wrath  and  contention,  and  to 
weary  out  all  exaltation  and  cruelty,  or  whatever  is  of  a 
nature  contrary  to  itself.  It  sees  to  the  end  of  all  tempta- 
tions ;  as  it  bears  no  evil  in  itself,  so  it  conceives  none  in 
thoughts  to  any  other  :  if  it  be  betrayed  it  bears  it ;  for 
its  ground  and  spring  is  the  mercies  and  forgiveness  of 
God.  Its  crown  is  meekness,  its  life  is  everlasting  love 
unfeigned,  and  takes  its  kingdom  wnth  entreaty,  and  not 
with  contention,  and  keeps  it  by  lowliness  of  mind.  In 
God  alone  it  can  rejoice,  though  none  else  regard  it,  or 
can  own  its  life.  It.'s  conceived  in  sorrow,  and  brought 
forth  without  any  to  pity  it ;  nor  doth  it  murmur  at 
grief  and  oppression.  It  never  rejoiceth  but  through 
sufferings ;  for  with  the  world's  joy  it  is  murdered.  I 
found  it  alone,  being  forsaken  ;  I  have  fellowship  therein 
with  them  who  lived  in  dens  and  desolate  places  in  the 
earth,  who  through  death  obtained  this  resurrection  and 
?ternal  holy  life. — James  Nayler.  1660.  His  last  testi- 
mony, said  to  he  delivered  before  his  departure  out  of  this 
life  ;  several  Friends  heipg  present. 

So  died  James  Naylor.  He  was  buried  in  "Thomae  Pameirs  burying 
ground,  at  King's  Rippon,"  in  a  green  nook  of  rural  England.  27 


23  DAILY    READINGS. 


[FiKST  Month  5 


Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they  may  Bee  your  good  workB,  and 
glorify  yonr  father  which  is  in  heaven."— Matt.  v.  16. 

I  WAS  last  night  at  a  large  meeting  which  is  held  here 
quarterly,  under  the  name  of  the  Young  Folks' 
Evening  Meeting.  I  was  pleased  to  see  a  very  numerous 
appearance  of  very  promising  young  Friends  of  both 
sexes ;  several  testimonies  were  delivered  by  some  that 
have  lately  appeared  in  public ;  they  seemed  to  be  influ- 
enced with  love  and  zeal ;  and  it  afforded  me  satisfaction 
when  I  considered  that  it  was  possible  some  of  these 
young  hearers  might  one  day  stand  as  bulwarks  against 
the  general  corruiDtion  and  degeneracy  among  us,  in  the 
place  of  their  deceased  worthy  elders  and  fathers.  They 
have  to  tell  us  that  better  days  were  coming,  that 
mercy  was  extended,  that  Zion  yet  should  shine  more 
brightly.  O  thrice  happy  those  who  live  so  near  the 
centre  of  peace,  as  to  be  ready,  when  the  alarm  is  given, 
to  follow  wherever  the  standard  is  fixed.  I  can  now  only 
desire  this  for  thee  and  myself,  that  our  dear  father's 
example  and  precej^ts  may  insinuate  themselves  into  our 
minds  so  far  as  to  influence  us  to  act,  to  speak,  and  even 
to  think,  as  it  becomes  persons  favored  in  such  an  extra- 
ordinary manner.  Dear  Sister,  cease  not  to  shine,  though 
discouragements  may  too  much  prevail ;  may  happiness 
attend  thee.  Farewell. — Doctor  I.  FotJiergell,  London, 
1738. 

Ill  this  divine  glass  they  see  face  to  face,  and  their  couverse  is  free  as  well  as 
pure. 

Penn's  Maxims. 


PiKST  Month  *).]  DAILY    KKADINGS. 


"  For  unto  you  it  is  given  in  the  behalf  of  Christ,  not  only  to  believe  on  him, 
but  aliso  siifler  for  his  sake."— Philippians  i.  29. 

UNAIDED  by  any  alliance  with  the  great  or  power- 
ful ;  ridiculed  and  hated  by  the  world,  and  every- 
where pursued  witli  contempt  and  cruelty,  the  principles 
of  Friends  silently  spread  through  the  kingdom,  winning 
the  assent  of  men  who  were  inferior  to  none  in  education, 
talents,  and  respectability.  Amid  the  severest  persecution, 
when  deprived  of  every  temporal  good,  torn  from  home 
and  all  its  endearments,  with  every  probability  that  they 
should  seal  the  truth  of  their  principles  with  the  sacrifice 
of  their  lives,  they  faltered  not.  Though  all  around  them 
looked  dark  and  threatening,  yet  there  was  light  and  peace 
within  ;  they  not  only  met  their  sufferings  with  patience 
and  fortitude,  in  the  unresisting  spirit  of  their  Divine 
Master,  but,  through  the  goodness  of  God,  were  so  filled 
with  heav.enly  consolation,  that  they  sang  for  joy  even  in 
the  extremity  of  their  suffering. 

If  the  calamities  in  which  Friends  bore  so  large  a  share  had 
no  other  good  effect,  they  evidently  tended  to  convince  the 
nation  of  the  folly  of  persecuting  men  for  differences  of 
opinion.  More  tlian  thirty  years  of  suffering  had  passed 
over,  and  not  a  single  Quaker  had  been  induced  by  it  to 
abandon  his  profession.  They  were  as  prompt  and  diligent 
:is  ever  in  the  open  performance  of  their  religious  duties, 
and  as  ready  patiently  to  submit  to  the  p..'nalties  of 
unrighteous  laws. — Thomas  Evans,  {Introductory  Be- 
marks  to  the  Life  of  George  Fox). 


30  DAILY    READINGS. 


[First  Month  30. 


"  Therefore  shall  a  man  leave  his  father  and  his  mother,  and  shall  cleave  un- 
to his  wife,  and  they  shall  be  one  flesh.'"— Gen.  ii.  24. 

I  CONGRATULATE  the  new-married  pair  on  their 
union  ;  I  hope  there  is  cause  to  believe  that  He 
wlio  made  them  has  mercifully  condescended  to  own  their 
connection,  that  it  is  not  without  His  Divine  notice  and 
approbation.  They  are  young,  it  is  the  spring-time  of  life 
with  them,  luxuriant  shoots  will  be  apt  to  grow;  may 
they  suffer  the  pruning  hand  of  Divine  culture,  the  bap- 
tism which  initiates,  preserves,  and  keeps  clean,  and  ren- 
ders comely  and  acceptable  in  the  sight  of  the  Husband 
of  souls. 

Acceptance  with  Him  is  all,  and  without  it  every  en- 
joyment fails  of  satisfying  the  immortal  spirit,  every  com- 
fort of  this  life  loses  its  best  relish,  and  every  trouble  is 
aggravated  by  an  additional  sting ;  whereas,  dwelling 
low,  keeping  in  the  moderation,  and  looking  to  our  great 
Benefactor  daily  for  his  blessing,  holding  all  as  at  his 
hand,  and  referring  all  to  him,  his  benefits  are  received 
with  humble  thankfulness,  hefilleth  our  hearts  with  food 
and  gladness,  the  creatures  are  used  to  his  honor,  and  not 
abused  to  our  hurt,  and  the  Great  Giver  has  the  praise  of 
all. 

This  world,  its  bustle,  its  pursuits,  and  its  highest  glo- 
ry will  soon  be  over  to  every  one  that  is  at  present  in  it. 
Then  the  answer  of  "  Well  done  !  good  and  faithful  serv- 
ant" will  be  a  more  joyful  sound,  than  all  the  favor  and 
friendship  which  this  life  can  bestow. — Richard  Shackle- 
ton,  1781. 


First  Month  31.]  DAILY  READINGS.  3^ 

"  Ye  know  that  the  princes  of  the  Gentiles  exercise  dominion  over  them, 
and  they  that  are  great  exercise  authority  upon  them.  But  it  shall  not  be  so 
among  you." — Matt.  xx.  25. 

AS  Christ's  Kingdom  was  not  to  be  set  up,  so  neither 
was  it  afterwards  to  be  sustained,  by  force  or 
fraud ;  human  wisdom  and  greatness,  as  such,  were  not  to 
be  its  pillars,  but  lowliness  and  meekness  ;  for  he  declared, 
"  except  ye  become  as  little  children,  ye  shall  not  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  heaven,"  implying  ihat  th.  y  could 
not  otherwise  be  his  faithful  subjects.  When  the  Samari- 
tans would  not  receive  him,  and  some  of  his  disciples  in- 
quired whether  they  should  call  for  fire  from  heaven  to 
destroy  these  unbelievers,  he  meekly  replied,  "  ye  know 
not  what  spirit  ye  are  of;  for  the  Son  of  Man  is 
come  not  to  destroy  men's  lives,  but  to  save  them." 
Thus  he  testified  that  they  were  not  subject  to  the 
influence  of  his  meek,  holy,  and  beneficent  sovereignty, 
but  ignorant  what  its  nature  was,  and  whose  subjects 
they  really  were  ;  for  that  he  came  to  promote  love  and 
truth,  to  save  and  not  to  destroy,  even  those  who  op- 
posed him. 

It  may  be  asserted  that  the  whole  tenor  of  the  New 
Testament  is  consonant  with  this  view  of  the  character 
of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ ;  and  that  in  proportion  to 
the  purity  and  faitlifulness  with  which  it  is  upheld,  will 
love,  sincerity,  and  meekness,  "  peace  on  earth,  good  will 
to  men,  and  glory  to  God,"  prevail  as  its  sure  tokens 
and  genuine  results. — John.  Allen^  England,  1853. 


DAILY    READINGS.  [Second  Month  1. 


"  Enter  ye  in  at  the  strait  gate :  lor  wide  is  the  gate,  and  broad  is  the  way 
thatlcadeth  to  destruction,  and  many  there  be  which  go  in  thereat."— Matthew 
vii.  13. 

THE  broad  way  seems  more  and  more  crowded,  while 
the  road  to  Zion  is  thinly  scattered  with  poor 
wayworn  travelers;  each,  or  nearly  so,  of  the  former 
living  as  if  there  were  to  be  no  hereafter,  and  earth  was 
to  be  their  eternal  home.  I  have  thought  that  as  our 
Blessed  Redeemer's  arms  were  extended  wide  on  the  cross 
to  embrace  perishing  sinners,  so  do  these  short-sighted 
mortals  extend  their  arms  and  their  wishes  in  grasping 
imsubstantial  vanities,  and  that  craving  one  o{ Mammon, 
the  most  fascinating  of  all,  as  it  increases  with  age. 

I  hope  by  what  I  have  felt  of  the  keen  arrow  of 
adversity  piercing  the  heart,  it  will  teach  me,  when  I  see 
it  wounding  any  of  my  fellow-mortals,  to  endeavor  to 
soothe,  if  I  have  nothing  else  in  my  power  toward  heal- 
ing the  wound.  Let  thee  and  me  be  determined,  in  the 
name  of  the  holy  Jesus,  to  follow  him  and  not  look  on 
others.  He  is  leading  us  into  the  pure  green,  ever  green 
pasture  of  humiliation,  where  the  sheep  of  his  pasture  love 
to  lie.  I  own  the  road  is  not  very  pleasant ;  the  descent 
is  rugged,  and  many  times  the  poor  traveler  is  ashamed 
of  being  seen  hobbling  down  by  his  former  acquaintance  ; 
but  when  once  within  the  sacred  inclosure,  the  sweet  aii 
tliat  breathes  humility  hushes  all  stormy  passions  to  rest. 
I  read  and  read  again  of  all  those  holy  folks  being  divested 
of  self,  and  anxiously  do  I  desire  to  be  so  too,  but  by  the 
marks  they  lay  down  I  am  very  far  from  that  attainment 
— Elizabeth  Yeardley,  aged  36. 


Skcokd  MoNta  i.] 


t)AlLV   llt^ADlNGS.  38 


"And  to  stand  every  mornin<?  to  thank  and  praise  the  Lordi  and  like'vi>»e  at 
L'vcn." — 1  Chrou.  xxiii.  30i 

IN  the  beginning  of  the  day  it  ought  certainly  to  he 
our  care  to  lift  up  our  liearts  to  God  as  soon  as  wo 
awake;  and  on  rising  from  bed  to  endeavor  to  have  oil.' 
minds  brought  into  seriousness  and  stilhieas ;  to  thought- 
fulness  as  in  the  Divine  presence ;  for  this  is  a  sc  ason  when 
there  are  many  considerations  which  may,  or  ought  to, 
suggest  a  variety  of  pious  reflections  and  ejaculations, 
which  are  so  obvious  that  a  mind  inclined  to  piety  could 
hardly  forget  or  miss  them.  The  cheerfulness  natural  on 
our  first  waking;  the  refreshment  we  liave  found  fi'om 
sleep  ;  the  security  we  have  enjoyed  during  that  defense- 
h'ss  condition  ;  the  enjoyment  of  witnessing  once  more 
the  reviving  influ'-'nce  of  the  sun;  the  recollection  of  the 
many  comforts  and  conveniences  which  we  have  enjoyed 
or  received,  and  are  surrounded  with,  so  graciously  pro- 
vided by  the  great  Author  of  all  our  mercies;  and  now 
having  the  prospect  of  one  day  more,  not  oidy  to  see  our 
dear  connections,  but  to  serve  our  Heavenl}^  Fathei*, 
whose  service  is  freedom  and  whose  labor  is  love ;  and 
continued  opportunity  for  the  improvement  of  our  minds  ; 
and  above  all,  cherishing  a  lively  hope  of  finally  witnessing 
a  perfect  resurrection  to  an  eternal  day  of  happiness  and 
glory.  The  exercise  of  private  devotion  in  the  morning, 
I  hope  you  will,  my  children,  engage  in  as  the  first  work 
of  the  day,  yet  I  cannot  prescribe  a  particular  method 
to  any  of  yoa.  Consult  the  witness  for  God  in  your 
own  hearts. — David  Sands,  IV 95. 


34  DAILY   READINGS.  [Second  Month  a 

"  Then  Samuel  took  a  stone,  and  set  it  between  Mizpeh  and  Shen,  and  called 
the  name  of  itEbenezer,  sayin<r,  hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped  us."— 1  Sara, 
vii.  12. 

IN  humility  and  thankfulness  to  our  great  and  most 
merciful  Lord  God,  I  must  confess  to  his  power 
and  goodness,  yea,  and  his  special  providence  in  helping 
me  hitherto,  and  strengthening  me  in  his  work  and  ser- 
vice, and  in  preserving  and  delivering  me,  through  many 
trials,  sufferings  and  persecutions,  that  I  have  not  been 
delivered  to  the  will  of  my  enemies  and  persecutors,  vvlio 
sought  my  destruction ;  not  only  breathing  out  cruelty 
against  me,  and  others  of  the  servants  of  the  Lord,  in 
our  early  days;  but  to  their  power,  have  acted  mali- 
ciously and  cruelly  against  us;  but  the  remainder  of  wrath 
hath  the  Lord  so  far  restrained,  as  not  to  suffer  them  to 
execute  the  utmost  thereof  against  us ;  the  Lord  having 
reserved  forme  more  service  in  my  day,  as  well  as  trials, 
sufferings  and  exercises  of  divers  kinds.  The  persecu 
tions  and  hardships  which  I  had  undergone  were  not  suf 
fered  to  put  an  end  to  my  days,  or  service  in  the  gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ,  but  to  make  the  same  more  observable 
and  effectual,  through  the  Lord's  power  and  tender  mercy 
unto  me  and  his  people,  and  for  the  sake  of  many  pooi- 
souls. —  George   Whitehead,  1654. 

Good,  Ivind.  true,  holy  words,  dropped  in  conversation,  may  be  little  thought  of, 
but  they  are  like  seeds  of  flower  or  fi-uitful  tree ;  falling  by  the  wayside,  borne 
by  some  bird  afar,  haply  thereafter  to  fringe  with  beauty  some  heretofore  barren 
mountain-side,  or  make  some  nook  of  the  wilderness  to  rejoice. 


Skooko  Month  4.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  35 


"  H«  was  in  the  world,  and  the  world  was  made  by  him,  and  the  world  knew 
him  not."— John  i.  10. 

THERE  is  scarcely  any  article  of  Christian  doctrine 
in  which  the  Society  of  Friends  have  more  fully 
Of  repeatedly  declared  their  sincere  belief,  than  in  the 
proper  divinity  of  our  blessed  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ  They  have  uniformly  testified  that  he  was  the 
Word  of  God,  spoken  of  by  the  Evangelist  John,  by  whom 
(he  world  and  all  things  else  ^vei^  made ;  who  was  with 
(rod  in  the  beginning,  and  who  was  and  is  over  all,  God 
blessed  for  ever,  Amen,  They  believe  that  in  the  fullness 
of  time,  this  eternal  "  Word  was  made  flesh"  and  dwelt 
among  men  in  the  person  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  born  of  the  virgin 
Mary,  at  Bethlehem  of  Judea,  in  the  days  of  Herod  the 
King;  concerning  whom  the  angels  declared  to  the  shep- 
herds who  were  keeping  watch  over  their  flocks  by  night, 
"  unto  you  is  born  this  day  in  the  city  of  David,  a  Saviour, 
which  is  Christ  the  Lord."  That  he  went  about  doing 
good  to  the  bodies  and  souls  of  men,  preaching  the  gos- 
pel of  salvation,  and  giving  eternal  life  to  as  many  as  be- 
lieved on  him ;  that  he  wrought  many  mighty  miracles, 
and  gave  other  infallible  proofs  that  he  was  the  promised 
Messiah,  the  true  Christ,  the  son  and  sent  of  God,  the  Re- 
deemer and  Saviour  of  the  world,  one  with  the  Father, 
agreeably  to  his  own  blessed  declarations. — Adopted  by 
the  Representative  meeting  of  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meet- 
ing^ Jonathan  Evans^  cleric. 


36  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Second  Month  9. 


"  And  when  he  had  opened  the  seventh  seal,  there  vras  silence  in  heaven  about 
the  space  of  half  an  hour," — Rev.  rill.  1, 


SILENT  worship  being  the  most  sublime  part  of  our 
religious  performances,  how  important  it  i»  not  to 
interrupt  the  silent  travail,  or  conclude  our  meetings 
before  experienced  minds  have  time  to  dig  to  the  spring 
of  life  in  themselves,  witness  the  gi-adual  arising  thereof 
as  high  as  the  gi'eat  Feeder  and  Waterer  of  his  people 
designs.  This  she  (Mary  Griffin)  had  a  deep  sense  of, 
and  her  public  appearances  in  the  meeting  to  which  she 
belonged  were  not  generally  lengthy,  nor  very  frequent, 
sitting  generally  in  silence  when  other  ministers  from 
abroad  were  present,  preferring  others  to  herself,  speaking 
lightly  of  none,  and  very  tender  towards  the  young  or  in- 
experienced ;  careful  not  to  stir  up  or  awake  her  beloved 
until  he  pleased,  nor  rise  above  O'r  go  beyond  the  pure 
leading  of  truth.  Her  language  was  correct  and  copious, 
well  adapted  to  her  subject.  Her  matter  was  plain  to 
be  understood  by  all,  not  unnecessarily  branching  out 
into  words,  but  kept  to  the  life  and  marrow  of  things, 
tending  to  center  the  minds  of  hearers  in  the  fear  and 
love  of  God.— Jos.  Talleot,  1812. 

Why  is  my  mind  with  sorrow  thus  opprcst  ? 
Where  ehall  I  go  to  find  the  balm  of  rest  ? 
There  is  nothing  in  this  M'orld  can  give  relief, 
For  all  is  mingled  with  the  cup  of  grief. 
Then  may  my  sonl  retire  unto  that  power, 
Which  cnlmed  the  tempest  in  a  trying  hour, 
The  wind  and  sea  obeying  His  command. 
The  raging  storm  became  a  quiet  calm  1 

—Sarah  Tallcot,    1810. 


Sboond  Month  6.]  DAILY    KKADI.NCJS.  37 

"  Blepsed  are  the  poor  in  spirit :  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven."— Matt. 
V.  8. 


IT  is  a  safe  and  blessed  state,  to  be  spiritually  poor, 
and  to  be  rightly  sensible  of  it  before  the  Most 
High.  For  then  we  are  nothing,  and  have  nothing,  but 
from  the  Lord :  and  without  him  man  sees  himself  un- 
done :  his  soul  must  starve,  he  must  go  naked,  if  the  Al- 
mighty do  not  feed  and  clothe  him.  When  people  see 
themselves  poor,  and  wretched,  miserable,  blind,  and 
naked,  without  Christ,  notwithstanding  all  the  fine  things 
they  may  enjoy  in  this  world,  which  is  of  a  fading  nature ; 
oh  !  then  how  the  soul  cries  and  begs  for  mercy  and 
grace.  A  dry  form  of  words  will  not  satisfy  it,  but  it 
begs  with  tears.  Lord  help  me,  or  I  perish  !  Save  me,  or 
I  am  undone  for  ever !  Here  the  soul  humbly  approaches 
the  throne  of  grace  by  prayer ;  and  if  an  answer  is  not 
quickly  received,  for  such  a  soul  is  apt  to  think  the  time 
long,  it  waits  patiently  with  that  servant  of  God,  who 
said,  "  Though  he  slay  me,  yet  I  will  trust  in  him ; "  for 
I  know  there  is  no  help  for  me  but  from  thee,  oh  !  my 
God,  and  my  Saviour,  saith  the  truly  poor  soul.  The 
food  which  must  keep  life  in  me,  is  thy  word :  and  the 
raiment  which  I  want,  is  thy  righteousness,  as  thou 
wroughtest  it  for  me,  and  workest  it  in  me  also.  The 
Lord  looks  with  a  compassionate  eye  on  such  souls,  and 
doth  not  use  to  turn  them  away  empty ;  but  as  they 
abide  in  the  patience,  waiting  for  his  appearance  in  hojje, 
he  assures  them  of  the  kingdom. — Thomas  Chalkly. 


DAILY    READINGS.  [Second  Month  7. 


"  Remove  far  from  me  vanity  and  lies :  give  me  neither  poverty  nor  riches ; 
feed  me  with  food  convenient  fbr  me."— Prov.  xxx.  8. 

WHEN  I  Bit  down  by  the  fireside  in  my  own  room 
to  take  a  short  repose  in  the  afternoon,  the 
thought  often  arises  whether  I  am  not  getting  into  habits 
of  too  much  self-indulgence.  Threescore  and  ten  years 
of  age  may  afford  some  plea  for  an  increase  of  those  in- 
dulgences that  are  within  our  reach  ;  but  I  think  it  requires 
watchfulness,  that  they  do  not  extend  too  far,  lest  we 
should  begin  to  think  ourselves  of  most  consequence  when 
we  are  in  reality  in  the  least.  Yet  many  things  conspire 
to  promote  self-importance.  Our  friends  and  relatives, 
perhaps  perceiving  some  increasing  debilities  and  infirmi- 
ties, are  careful  respecting  us ;  they  prompt  us  to  take 
care  of  ourselves,  and  withdraw  from  everything  that 
may  fatigue  or  trouble  us ;  and  I  believe  we  sometimes 
give  way  to  their  apprehensions,  lest  we  should  in  any 
respect  become  burdensome  to  them. 

When  I  have  been  contemplating  the  happiness  of  my 
own  situation  respecting  temporals,  and  comparing  it  ^^th 
those  of  inferior  classes,  I  have  felt  my  heart  touched 
with  compassion.  But  when,  on  the  other  hand,  I  have 
looked  at  the  situation  of  those  much  above  me,  and  con- 
sidered how  unhappy  they  would  think  themselves  if  re- 
duced to  mine,  it  has  led  me  to  the  conclusion  that  there 
is  a  more  equal  distribution  of  happiness  than  one  might, 
at  a  casual  glance,  imagine. — Margaret  Woods^  1818. 


Skcond  Month  8.]  DAILY   READINGS.  39 

"  But  as  he  which  hath  called  you  id  holy,  f»o  be  ye  holy  in  all  manner  of  con- 
versation."— 1  Peter  i.  15. 

DEAR ,  upon  examination  I  find  a  degree  of 
love  to  move  upon  my  mind  towards  thee  and  thy 
sister  Anna,  with  desires  that  you  may  be  preserved  from 
all  evil,  and  walk  in  the  way  of  holiness,  which  is  the 
way  of  peace. 

As  I  believe  that  you  have  hitherto  in  a  good  degree 
been  kept  from  the  pollutions  that  are  in  the  world, 
which  many  are  defiled  with,  so  I  earnestly  desire  your 
preservation  to  the  end,  and  not  only  so,  but  that  you 
may  be  holy  in  all  manner  of  conversation,  and  be  pat- 
terns for  others  to  follow.  I  believe  you  are  called 
thereto,  to  be  as  lights  to  others;  therefore  walk  as  chil- 
dren of  the  light,  feel  frequently  after  the  Lord  and  for 
the  arisings  of  light  and  life  in  your  souls,  and  know  the 
love  of  God  to  increase  and  abound  in  you,  and  that 
will  qualify  for  his  service,  for  nothing  can  be  done  to 
the  honor  of  God  except  divine  love  be  the  mover.  As 
God  is  love,  so  they  who  love  God  will  love  their  breth- 
ren, and  act  towards  then  in  the  movings  thereof.     *     * 

I  believe  there  will  be  a  noble  army  raised  up  in  your 
land,  that  will  be  able  and  willing  to  fight  the  Lord's  bat- 
tles, and  perhaps  in  your  day ;  if  so,  and  you  are  faithful 
in  the  improvement  of  your  talents,  you  may  become  as 
standard-bearers  amongst  the  people.  Remember  you 
have  been  favored  above  many,  and  if  suitable  returns 
are  made,  and  a  proper  improvement,  you  may  be  in- 
struments for  the  Lord's  use. — David  Ferris.  1759. 


40  DAILY   READINGS.  [Second  Month  t>. 

"As  a  shepherd  seeketh  out  his  flock  in  the  day  that  he  is  among  his  sheep 
that  are  scattered ;  so  will  I  seek  out  ni}'  sheep,  and  will  deliver  them  out  of  all 
places  where  they  have  been  scattered  in  the  cloudy  and  dark  day.''— Ezek.  xxiv. 
12. 

FOR  it  is  the  glorious  Gosptl-day,  in  which  God  is 
exalting  his  dear  Son,  as  Prophet,  Priest,  and 
King,  in  the  hearts  of  his  people.  O  that  the  nations 
would  hear  him,  their  only  saving  health,  and  Israel's 
great  Shepherd  !  who  takes  care  of  his  sheep,  that  hear 
liis  voice,  and  gives  unto  them  that  follow  him  in  the 
daily  cross  unto  regeneration,  eternal  life.  He  hath  sent 
and  is  sending  forth  his  servants,  to  gather  home  the 
sheep  that  are  gone  astray  in  all  nations,  that  so  there 
may  be  but  one  Shepherd  and  one  sheep-fold  ;  according 
to  the  glorious  promise  made  to  these  latter  times,  in  which 
he  said  he  would  be  the  teacher  of  his  people,  himself 

God  is  awakening  men  to  the  knowledge  of  his  glory, 
in  the  face  or  appearance  of  Christ,  by  his  Spirit  in  their 
hearts  and  consciences,  which  reveals  to  men  the  Father, 
yea,  the  deep  things  of  God.  O  that  they  would  hear 
and  fear,  and  learn  the  things  that  make  for  their  eter- 
nal peace  !  For  if  the  righteous  scarcely  are  saved,  where, 
O  where,  shall  they  appear  that  neglect  so  great  salva- 
tion ! —  a  salvation  that  comes  so  near  them,  as  to  knock 
at  the  door  of  their  hearts  ;  that  searches  them  and  tries 
their  reins,  and  tells  unto  them  their  most  inward 
thouglits;  and  brings  a  line  of  judgment  over  all  their 
words  and  works.  This  is  Christ  Jesus,  the  Light  of  the 
world,  who  was  given  of  God  for  salvation  to  the  ends  of 
the  earth. —  William  Penn. 


Skcond  Month  10.]  DAILY    READLXGS.  4:1 

• 

"  Keep  thy  lieait  with  all  diligeuce  ;  for  out  of  it  are  the  issues  of  life/'— Prov. 
IV.  23. 

I  HAVE  been  reading  Watts'  Logic;  it  tells  me  how 
ill-regulated  are  my  thoughts ;  they  ramble  truly ! 
Regularity  of  thought  and  deed  is  wliat  I  much  want ;  I 
appear  to  myself  to  have  almost  a  confusion  of  ideas, 
which  leads  to  a  confusion  of  actions ;  I  want  order ;  I 
believe  it  difficult  to  obtain,  but  yet  with  perseverance  at- 
tainable. The  first  way  to  obtain  it,  it  appears  to  me,  is 
to  try  to  prevent  my  thoughts  from  rambling,  and  to  keep 
them  as  steadily  as  possible  to  the  object  in  view.  True  re- 
ligion is  what  I  seldom  feel,  nor  do  I  sufficiently  try  after 
it,  by  really  seeking  devotion  ;  I  do  not  warmly  seek  it,  I 
am  sure,  nor  do  I  live  in  the  fear  of  an  all-wise  Being,  who 
watches  over  us  ;  I  seldom  look  deep  enough,  but  dwell  too 
much  on  the  surface  of  things,  and  let  my  ideas  float.  Such 
is  my  state.  I  can't  tell  how  I  feel  exactly — at  times  all 
seems  to  me  mystery ;  "  when  I  look  at  the  heavens,  the 
work  of  thy  fingers,  the  moon  and  stars,  which  thou 
hast  ordained,  what  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him 
or  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest  him  ?  "  ^  Thou  must 
exist,  oh  God  !  for  the  heavens  declare  thy  glory,  and  the 
firmament  showeth  thy  handy-work. — Elisabeth  Gurney, 
ao;ed  20. 


It  is  a  coal  from  God's  altar  must  kindle  our  fire ;  and  without  fire,  true  fire, 
no  acceptable  sacrifice.— TFm.ZVnn. 


42  DAILY   READINGS.  [  Second  Month  11. 


"  But  they  that  will  be  rich  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare,  and  into  many 
foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown  men  in  destruction  and  perdition.  For 
the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evU :  which  while  some  coveted  after,  they 
have  erred  from  the  faith,  and  pierced  themselves  through  with  many  sorrows."' 
—1  Tim.  vi.  9,  10. 


LET  all  promises  and  obligations  for  payment  of  just 
debts  be  truly  kept  and  performed  ;  and  due  care 
taken  that  all  offenses,  trespasses,  and  differences  be 
speedily  ended  and  composed,  in  God's  wisdom,  accord- 
ing to  gospel  order  among  us,  either  by  mutual  forgive- 
ness, Cliiistian  counsel,  or  just  arbitration,  as  the  case  may 
require,  and  safely  admit  or  allow ;  and  the  choice  of 
arbitrators  and  umpires  be  of  such  just,  impartial  men, 
as  neither  party  can  justly  except  against.     *     *     * 

As  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  exhorted  and 
warned  to  beware  and  take  heed  of  covetousness  (which  is 
idolatry),  w^e  are  concerned  that  all  professing  Christianity 
among  us  may  take  heed  of  pride,  covetousness,  and 
hastenmg  to  he  rich  in  the  world^  which  are  pernicious 
and  growing  evils  ;  let  them  be  watched  against,  resisted, 
and  suppressed,  in  the  fear  and  dread  of  Almighty  God, 
and  have  no  place  or  countenance  in  his  camp.  O  ye  grave 
elders,  both  men  and  w^omen  !  pray  be  careful  and  watch- 
ful against  these  evils,  and  over  the  youtli  in  these  cases. 

It  is  also  seriously  advised  that  no  Friends  suffer 
romances,  play-books,  or  other  vain  and  idle  pamphlets,  in 
their  houses  or  families,  which  tend  to  corrupt  the  minds 
of  youth  ;  but  instead  thereof,  that  they  excite  them  to 
the  reading  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  religious  books. 
— London  Epistle^  1720. 


Sbcond  Monxh  12.]  DAILY    READINGS.  43 

"  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Sou,  that  whosoever 
believeth  in  Him,  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life."— John  iii.  15. 

DEAR  FRIENDS:— I  am  glad  to  hear  that  the 
concerns  of  Truth  are  so  well  as  tliey  are  with 
you,  and  that  you  have  set  up  your  Half-year's  Meetings, 
which  may  be  of  great  service. 

And  all  that  are  faithful  in  your  country,  being  kept 
in  the  Lord's  eternal  power,  in  it  keep  up  all  your  men 
and  women's  meetings,  that  the  power  of  the  Lord  God 
may  spread  over  all,  and  by  it  all  deceit  and  looseness 
may  be  kept  under;  and  this  will  ease  all  the  magis- 
trates, and  their  courts,  of  all  evil  and  looseness,  by  hav- 
ing it  stopped  and  killed  in  the  birth,  before  it  comes  in 
to  action ;  and  see  in  your  meetings,  that  Friends  give 
no  occasion  [of  offense]  to  the  Indians. 

And  if  sometimes  you  should  have  some  meetings 
with  the  Indian  kings  and  their  councils,  to  let  them 
know  the  principles  of  Truth ;  so  that  they  may  know 
the  way  of  salvation,  and  the  nature  of  true  Christianity, 
and  how  that  Christ  hath  died  for  them,  Avho  "  tasted 
death  for  every  man  ;  "  (and  so  the  gospel  of  salvation 
must  be  preached  to  every  creature  under  heaven)  ;  and 
how  that  Christ  hath  enlightened  them,  who  enlightens 
all  that  come  into  the  world.  And  God  hath  poured  out 
liis  Spirit  upon  all  flesh ;  and  so  the  Indians  must  receive 
God's  S])irit.  *  *  *  ^^^  g^  |^^  them  know, 
ihat  they  have  a  day  of  salvation,  grace,  and  favor  of 
God  offered  unto  them ;  if  they  will  receive  it,  it  will  be 
their  blessing. —  George  Fox,  1687. 


44  DAILY    READINGS.  [Second  Month  18. 

"  For  to  me  to  live  i  Christ,  and  to  die  isgain."— Philippians  i.  21 

WILLIAM  LEDRA,  an  inhabitant  of  the  Island  of 
Barbadoes,  being  convinced  of  the  principles 
of  truth  as  held  by  the  religious  Society  of  Friends,  and 
believing  himself  divinely  called  to  travel  in  New  England, 
came  to  Xewbiry  in  the  year  1658,  where  he  was  taken 
up,  with  liis  companion  William  Brend,  carried  to  Salem 
in  Massachusetts.  The  magistrates  of  this  place  asked 
if  they  were  Quakers  ;  and  being  told  they  were  so  called 
in  scorn,  tliey  charged  them  with  denying  that  Christ 
who  died  at  Jerusalem,  and  also  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

Sentence  of  death  was  passed  upon  him  and  the  time 
fixed  for  its  execution.  On  the  morning  when  this  servant 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  sealed  his  testimony  with  his  blood, 
the  governor  came  to  the  prison  with  a  military  guard ; 
W.  L.'s  irons  were  knocked  off,  and  taking  a  solemn  leave 
of  his  fellow-prisoners,  he  cheerfully  went  forth  to  meet 
death,  saying,  "  All  that  will  be  Christ's  disciples  must 
take  up  the  cross."  Then  taking  his  stand  where  the 
guard  directed  him,  he  addressed  the  people  thus :  "  For 
bearing  my  testimony  to  the  Lord  against  the  deceivers 
and  deceived,  am  I  brought  here  to  suffer."  When  the 
executioner  was  putting  the  halter  about  his  neck,  he 
calmly  said,  "  I  commend  my  righteous  cause  unto  thee, 
O  God ;"  and  as  he  was  turned  off,  he  cried  out,  "  Lord 
Jesus,  receive  my  spirit." — Memories  of  William  Ledra^ 
by  W.  and  T.  Evans,  1660.* 


Second  Month  14.]  I>AILY   EEADINGS.  45 

"  Then  David  said  to  Oman,  Grant  me  the  place  of  this  threshing-floor,  that 
I  may  build  an  altar  therein  unto  the  Lord  :  thou  shalt  grant  it  me  for  the  full 
price  :  that  the  plague  may  be  stayed  from  the  people.  And  Oman  said  unto 
David,  Take  it  to  thee,  and  let  my  lord  the  king  do  that  which  is  good  in  hie 
eyes :  lo,  I  give  thee  the  oxen  also  for  burnt  offerings,  and  the  threshing  instra- 
ments  for  wood,  and  the  wheat  for  the  meat  offering;  I  give  it  all.  And  king 
David  said  to  Oman,  Nay ;  but  I  will  verily  buy  it  for  the  full  price  :  for  I  will 
not  take  that  which  is  thine  for  the  Lord,  nor  offer  burnt  offerings  without 
cost."— 1  Chron.  xxi.  22,  2.3,24. 

AND  now,  clear  Friends,  that  all  your  offerings 
may  be  free,  and  of  your  own,  that  liave  cost  you 
something :  so  that  you  may  not  offer  of  that  which  is 
another  man's  ;  or  that  which  you  are  entrusted  withal, 
and  not  your  own  ;  or  fatherless  and  widows'  estates  ;  but 
all  such  things  you  may  settle  and  establish  in  their  places. 

For  you  may  remember,  many  years  ago,  in  the  time 
of  great  persecution,  there  were  divers  Friends  who  were 
traders  and  shop-keepers,  and  others  which  had  the  con- 
cerns of  widows  and  fatherless,  and  other  people's  estates 
in  their  hands,  that,  when  a  great  suffering,  persecution, 
and  spoiling  of  goods,  came  upon  Friends,  there  was  a 
!*pecial  care  taken,  that  all  that  Friends  did  suffer,  and 
what  they  did  offer  up  to  the  Lord  in  their  sufferings,  it 
might  be  really  their  own  ;  and  not  any  other's  estates  or 
goods  which  they  had  in  their  hands,  and  were  not  really 
their  own.     *     *     * 

And  therefore,  after  several  letters  came  out  of  the 
country  to  the  meeting  at  London,  Friends  that  had 
goods  from  the  shop-keepers  here  at  London  upon  credit, 
which  they  had  not  paid  for,  wrote  back  again  to  the 
creditors  that  they  had  the  goods  of;  and  intreating  of 
them  to  take  their  goods  again. — London  Epistle,  1683. 


46  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Second  Month  15. 


"Yea,  ye  yourselves  know,  that  these  hands  have  ministered  nnto  my  neces- 
»ities,  and  to  them  that  were  with  me."— Acts  xx.  S4. 

THE  court  was  adjourned  for  six  weeks;  and  finding 
myself  more  closely  confined  than  before,  and  not 
knowing  when  or  how  it  would  end,  I  began  to  be  very 
thoughtful  what  method  to  take,  not  to  be  chargeable  to 
my  friends.  As  I  was  full  of  thought  on  my  pillow  about 
the  matter,  it  came  into  my  mind  to  try  if  I  could  learn 
to  make  shoes ;  and  applying  myself  to  a  Scotch  church 
man  in  the  neighborhood,  one  Charles  Williams,  a  good- 
natured  man,  I  made  a  proposal  to  buy  a  pair  of  shoes  of 
him,  cut  out  for  me  to  make  up,  and  to  give  him  the 
same  price  as  if  made,  desiring  him  to  let  me  have  ma- 
terials and  tools  to  go  on  with  the  work,  and  requesting 
that  he  would  be  so  kind  as  to  show  me  how  to  begin 
and  proceed  in  it.  I  acquainted  him  with  my  reasonn 
for  so  doing.  He  replied,  "  It  is  very  honest  and  honor- 
able in  you :  but,"  added  he,  "  if  one  of  our  ministers 
were  in  the  like  state,  they  would  think  it  too  mean  for 
them  to  take  up  such  a  practice,  though  it  be  for  bread  ; 
and  your  friends,  perhaps,  will  not  like  it."  However  he 
readily  fell  in  with  me,  if  that  I  could  get  my  bread  with 
my  own  hands,  it  was  most  agreeable  with  Paul's  prac- 
tice ;  and  accordingly  next  morning  he  brought  me  leath- 
er cut  out,  with  materials  and  tools  to  work  with,  and 
with  his  direction  I  closed  one  of  the  upper  leathers  be 
fore  he  left  me,  and  he  put  it  on  the  last  for  me,  and  by 
night  I  finished  that  shoe. — Samuel  Bownas. 


Second  Month  16.] 


DAILY    KEADINGS.  47 


"  A  devout  man,  one  that  feared  God  with  all  his  house,  which  gave  much 
alma  to  the  people,  and  prayed  to  God  alway."— Acts  x.  8. 

/^  EORGE  FOX  himself  was  a  man  of  no  ordinary 
\jr  character.  Though  possessed  of  but  little  of 
the  "  learning  of  the  schools,"  yet,  as  a  Christian,  his 
spiritual  understanding  was  sound,  clear,  and  compre- 
hensive. Christ  was  its  center,  and  the  truth,  as  it 
Howed  from  him,  its  area  and  circumference.  With  a 
mind  as  humble  and  child-like  in  its  willingness  to  be 
taught,  as  it  was  fearless  and  unflinching  in  its  obedience 
to  what  it  had  already  learned,  he  had  comprehended 
the  practical  bearing  of  the  great  Christian  doctrine — 
the  simple  fact — of  the  direct  influence  and  perceptible 
guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  he  saw  and  appreciated 
not  only  its  entire  accordance  with  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
but  its  importance  also  as  an  essential  part  of*  gospel 
truth.  The  Old  and  New  Testaments  were  the  canon 
of  his  religious  belief.  In  doctrine,  he  fully  recognized 
the  conclusiveness  of  their  divine  authority ;  in  practice, 
he  felt  it  to  be  his  bounden  duty,  under  the  guidance 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  at  all  hazards,  faithfully  to  carry  out 
in  life  and  conversation  all  that  was  required  by  their 
teaching  ;  and  he  was  ever  willing  that  both  his  principles 
and  his  conduct  should  be  brought  to  the  test  of  their  de- 
cision. Mere  human  systems  were  nothing  to  him  in  point 
of  authority;  ecclesiastical  establishments,  with  their 
popes  and  cardinals,  "Right  Rev.  Lord  Bishops,"  etc., 
and  the  lower  grades  of  the  priesthood  were,  in  his 
view,  unscriptural  institutions. — Benjamin  Seebohm. 


48  DAILY    RFADTNGS, 


[Second  IMonth  1*2 


"  Be  still  and  know  that  I  am  God.'''— Pf aim  xlvi.  10. 

AND  now,  oh  Friends ;  let  a  time  silence  and  sAveet 
stillness  come  on  all  your  spirits ;  so  shall  your 
inward  ear  be  opened  to  his  heavenly  counsel,  and  you 
will  be  ready,  in  true  bowedness  of  spirit  to  say,  what 
the  Lord  has  commanded  and  required,  that  will  we  do, 
through  his  divine  strength ;  and  you  will  be  preserved 
in  all  the  various  exercises  of  the  day,  and  out  of  the 
hurries  of  the  people  in  this  season  of  fuliilling  what 
was  said  in  many  of  your  ears,  many  years  ago,  disap- 
pointment upon  disappointment,  sorrow  upon  sorrow,  ex- 
ercise upon  exercise,  and  distress  upon  distress ;  and  as 
you  are  inwardly  staid  upon  the  Lord,  in  his  eternal  light, 
you  will  feel  help  from  Him  in  all  your  straits.  Gather 
to  the  munition  of  rocks,  where  your  bread  shall  be  sure, 
and  waters  never  fail.  Be  faithful  in  the  Lord's  work, 
and  keep  meetings  as  the  Lord  requires,  and  that  dili- 
gently, week  days  as  well  as  first  days,  and  the  Lord 
will  appear  in  the  brightness  of  his  power,  and  the 
glory  of  his  presence  you  shall  enjoy  more  and  more. 
And,  dear  Friends,  you  that  God  hath  blessed  with  out- 
ward substance,  first  the  opening  love  of  Christ  Jesus,  who 
oifered  himself  up  for  us,  to  open  your  hearts,  and  give 
you  wisdom  to  take  effectual  care  of  the  poor  and  needy, 
according  to  your  ability.  So  to  God  almighty  I  commit 
you  ;  and  having  done  his  will,  I  rest  in  my  Father's  love, 
your  tender  friend  and  brother,  in  the  labor  and  travail 
of  the  Gospel. —  Charles  Marshall,  London,  1697. 


SBCOND  MoNTK  18.]  r>AlLr    READINGS.  49 

"Out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and  suckling?  hast  thon  ordained  strength,  be- 
cause of  thine  enemies,  that  thou  mightest  still  the  enemy  and  the  avenger.'*— 
Psalm  viii.  2. 

AT  a  very  early  age  I  believe  my  mind  was,  at  times, 
Visited  with  the  heart-tendering  power  of  the 
l^ord  ;  long  before  I  knew  what  it  was  that  contrited  my 
spirit  before  him.  This  led  me  to  feel  a  very  great  love 
for  such  as  I  esteemed  good  Friends,  and  enabled  me  to 
plead  their  cause  when  I  heard  some  speak  slightly  of 
them,  on  account  of  what  were  considered  singularities. 
My  education  did  not  subject  me  to  such  frequent  expo- 
sures as  fall  to  the  lot  of  many,  and  perhaps  of  most  ; 
yet  there  were  seasons  when  circumstances  of  this  sort 
did  occur.  One  in  particular  I  remember.  When  about 
ten  years  of  age^  I  rebuked  a  person  who  was  ridiculing 
one  whom  I  believed  to  be  a  valuable  woman;  and  the 
person's  answer  to  me  was,  "  I  make  no  doubt  but  you 
will  be  a  preacher  when  you  grow  up."  I  silently  re- 
ceived what  she  said,  and  felt  a  secret  reward,  which  ena- 
bled me  to  rejoice  that  I  was  permitted  to  bear  my  little 
portion  of  suffering  for  espousing  the  good  cause.  Yet 
sorrowful  to  remember,  several  years  after,  I  fear  I 
should  have  felt  less  ability  to  have  done  it,  than  at  that 
early  period ;  but,  with  reverent  thankfulness  I  can  ac- 
knowledge the  wonderful  goodness  of  a  merciful  God, 
who  never  permitted  me  to  go  along  unrebuked,  when  I 
had  wandered  widely  from  his  holy  guidance. — Mary 
Alexander^  1798. 

Every  day  has  its  duty. 


50  DAILY    KEADIXGS. 


[Second  Month  1ft. 


''  But  exhort  one  another  daily,  while  it  is  called  to-day  ;  lest  any  of  you  be 
hardened  throua^h  the  deceitfuhies?  of  sin.  For  we  are  made  partakers  of 
Christ,  if  we  hold  the  beginning  of  our  confidence  steadfast  unto  the  end."'— 
Heb.  iii.  13,  14. 

WHILST  tracing  the  Christian  course  of  tlie  ma  , 
whose  experience  has  been  recorded  in  th  ' 
pages  of  this  volume,  how  deeply  instructive  and  how 
encouraging  are  the  evidences  that  a  soul-animating  faith 
in  the  efficacy  and  all-atoning  virtue  of  the  blood  of  Je- 
sus, (which,  when  applied  to  the  heart  by  the  sanctifying 
power  of  the  Spirit,  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin,)  has  been 
found  sufficient  to  anchor  the  immortal  spirit  on  the 
Rock  of  Ages,  and  to  prepare  it  to  enter,  with  hopes  full 
of  immortality,  on  the  awfully  mysterious  realities  of  an 
invisible  and  never-ending  state  of  existence. 

Keader,  if  it  has  happily  been  thy  chief  concern  to  ob- 
tain the  like  precious  faith,  "  may  the  God  of  all  grace, 
who  hath  called  us  unto  his  eternal  glory  by  Christ  Je- 
sus, establish,  strengthen,  settle  "  thee.  But  if,  on  read- 
ing these  lines,  "  the  faithful  witness,"  the  Spirit  of  Him 
whose  "  eyes  "  are  "  as  a  flame  of  fire,"  penetrating  the 
most  secret  recesses  of  the  heart,  should  testify  that  the 
fleeting  pursuit-'  of  time  have  too  much  engrossed  thy  at- 
tention, and  veiled  from  thy  view  the  infinite  impor 
tance  of  seeking  "  first  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  his  right 
eousness,"  mayst  thou  become  solemnly  impressed  with 
the  danger  of  delaying,  even  for  a  moment,  to  come  unto 
Christ,  to  seek,  in  deep  humiliation  and  patience  of  soul, 
to  be  reconciled  to  the  Father. — Susanna  Corder, 


Secoito  Month  20.] 


DAH.Y   READINGS.  51 


"With  the  merciftil  thou  wilt  show  thyself  merciful,  and  with  the  upright 
man  thou  wilt  show  thyself  upright."— 2  Sam.  xxii.  26. 

I  MAY  acknowledge,  that,  notwithstanding  my  revolt 
and  turning  aside  from  the;  paths  of  purity  and 
peace,  the  Lord  has  been  graciously  near  me  all  my  life 
Jong,  and  has  watched  over  me  as  a  tender  father,  for 
good,  smitten  me  by  his  Spirit  when  I  have  been  rebel- 
ling against  his  holy  law  written  in  my  heart,  making 
merry  over  the  divine  witness  tliere ;  and  has  reached  to 
me  and  tendered  me  in  the  midst  of  mirth  and  jollity. 
He  often  followed  me  to  my  chamber,  and  upon  my  pil- 
low has  drawn  tears  of  sorrow  and  contrition  from  me, 
wlien  none  have  been  privy  to  it  but  his  all-seeing  eye : 
so  that  my  days  of  joy  and  laughter  have  often  pro- 
duced nights  of  sorrow  and  weeping.  Still  I  continued 
sinning  and  repenting,  and  turning  the  grace  of  God  into 
wantonness  for  a  number  of  years,  being  at  times  favored 
to  see,  in  part,  the  beauty  there  is  in  holiness,  but  fearful 
of  incurring  the  scorn  of  the  world's  deluded  votaries, 
should  I  turn  my  back  upon  it.  Activity  of  spirits,  loose 
discourse  and  noisy  mirth,  were  my  sad  refuge  to  drown 
serious  reflections;  yet  the  worm  that  never  dieth, 
a  wounded  conscience,  oftea  embittered  my  sweetest 
draughts  of  pleasure.  In  tiis  state  I  was  inclined  some- 
times, in  a  serious  hour,  to  read  a  pious  author,  which,  I 
think,  by  the  assistance  of  the  gracious  Helper,  was  made 
serviceable  to  me,  being  roused  to  more  serious  thought 
than  ever  before. —  Wm,  Savery^  1118, 


52  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Secoxd  Month  a. 


"  Hide  not  thy  face  far  from  me ;  put  not  thy  servant  away  in  anger :  thou 
hast  been  my  help  ;  leave  me  not,  neither  forsake  me,  O  God  of  my  salvation. 
When  my  father  and  my  mother  forsake  me,  then  the  Lord  will  take  me  up. 
Teach  me  thy  way,  O  Lord,  and  lead  me  in  a  plain  path,  because  of  mine  ene- 
mies.—Psalm  xxvii.  9, 10, 11. 

ABOUT  this  time,  1657,  it  was  the  great  talk  of  the 
country  that  I  was  become  a  Quaker.  My  pa- 
rents were  much  concerned  about  me.  I  was  informed 
that  the  priest  of  Welch-pool,  W,  Longford,  went  to 
them  and  told  them  that  I  was  gone  distracted,  and 
that  they  should  send  for  some  learned  men  to  come  tome 
and  restore  me  to  my  senses.  I  had  not  been  yet  with 
my  father  nor  mother,  but  waited  for  freeness  and  clear- 
ness in  myself,  and  then  I  went  to  see  them,  and  in  my 
way  I  visited  an  old  friend  of  mine,  a  professor,  and  had 
a  little  opportunity  to  speak  to  him  of  the  things  of  God, 
and  his  goodne&s  to  me,  and  a  young  man,  called  David 
Davies,  was  then  convinced  of  the  truth  :  this  was  on  a 
seventh-day,  in  the  afternoon  :  and  when  I  was  clear 
there,  I  went  to  Welch-pool  to  my  parents.  It  was  a 
trouble  to  them  to  see  that  I  did  not,  as  formerly,  go 
down  upon  my  knees  to  ask  their  blessing,  and  bow  to 
them  and  take  off  my  hat.  My  father  soon  turned  his 
back  upon  me.  I  had  heard  of  his  displeasure,  and  that 
he  had  said  he  would  leave  me  nothing ;  saying  to  my 
relations,  that  they  thought  to  have  had  comfort  of  me, 
but  now  they  expected  none,  but  that  I  would  go  up  and 
down  the  countjy,  cvying,  Repent !  Repent  I  —  Richard 

NcgJect  not  a  known  duty. 


Second  Montu  22,]  DAILY   KEADmGS,  53 

"  Although  the  fig-tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither  shall  firuit  be  in  the  vines  ; 
the  labor  of  the  oJive  shall  fail,  and  the  fields  shall  yield  no  meat ;  the  flock 
shall  be  cut  off  from  the  fold,  and  there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the  stalls  :  Yet  I  will 
rejoice  in  the  Lord,  I  will  joy  in  the  God  of  my  salvation."— Hab.  iii.  17, 18. 

THE  next  day,  being  asked  how  he  was,  he  said  nearly 
as  follows :  "  I  have  slept  sweetly,  and  seem  much 
refreshed ;  and  though  I  feel  myself  very  weak  in  body, 
I  am  full  of  Divine  consolation,  having  never  before  had 
such  prosj)ects  of  heavenly  things.  It  seems  even  as 
though  my  soul  was  united  in  chorus  with  glorified  saints 
and  angels,  both  sleeping  and  waking.  I  now  believe  I 
shall  recover,  and  that  this  sickness  did  not  happen  to  me 
altogether  on  my  own  account.  My  only  way  to  recover 
is  to  be  industrious  and  diligent  in  what  I  believe  is  re- 
quired of  me ;  I  have  many  messages  to  deliver,  both  in 
public  and  privately  to  Friends,  who  I  see  have  missed 
their  way,  and  have  in  a  great  measure  deprived  them- 
selves of  the  beauty  wherewith  an  humble  abiding  in 
the  truth  would  have  dignified  them ;  and  to  some  of 
my  elder  brethren,  for  whom  I  feel  an  uncommon  near- 
ness of  affection,  their  lives  never  appeared  to  be  more 
near  to  me,  and  I  dare  not  conceal  counsel  from  them, 
whether  they  will  bear  or  forbear.  *  *  An  uncommon 
earnestness  attends  my  mind,  for  the  recovery  of  the  re- 
bellious, hypocritical,  and  backsliding  professors  of  all 
ranks  amongst  us.  If  I  get  to  our  quarterly  meeting, 
which  I  believe  I  shall,  and  can  have  time  allowed  me 
when  there,  I  have  tidings,  important  tidings,  as  from  a 
dying  man,  to  many." — John  Churchman. 


54  DAILY   HEADINGS. 


[Second  Month  23, 


"  Blessed  are  the  peace-makers,  for  they  shall  be  called  the  children  of  God," 
—Matt.  V.  9. 

THIS  peace-making  is  excellent  work,  and  a  blessed 
calling;  what  a  pity  it  is,  that  there  are  not 
workmen  in  the  world  who  would  set  themselves  heartily 
to  it,  which  if  they  did  in  a  right  spirit,  God  would  cer- 
tainly prosper  the  work  in  their  hands,  and  plentifully 
reward  them  with  his  own  peace,  which  passeth  the  un- 
derstanding of  the  natural  man.  If  our  ingenious  men, 
our  men  and  women  of  skill  and  good  natural  parts, 
would  take  a  little  pains,  nay,  when  the  case  requires  it, 
a  great  deal,  the  Almighty  would  richly  reward  them. 
This  work  is  not  too  mean  even  for  princes  and  nobles ; 
no,  not  even  the  greatest  monarchs  on  earth,  unless  it 
be  too  mean  for  them  to  be  called  the  children  of 
God.  *  *  *  Wherefore,  we  should  seek  peace  with 
all  men,  and  ensue  it,  or  sue  for  it,  by  our  continual 
seeking  of  it,  being  a  precious  jewel,  when  found ;  and 
though  this  office  may  seem  a  little  unthankful  at  first, 
yet  in  the  end  it  brings  forth  the  peaceable  fruits  of  right- 
eousness, as  many  so  laboring  have  witnessed.  And 
Christ,  to  encourage  the  work,  says,  "  They  shall  be 
called  the  children  of  God ;  "  which  are  the  words  of 
the  King  of  kings ;  and  if  the  princes  of  this  world 
would  promote  this  work  among  themselves,  it  would 
save  a  vast  expense  of  treasure  and  of  blood;  and  as 
these  peace-makers  are  to  be  called  the  children  of  God, 
they  who  are  truly  concerned  therein  are  not  only  so 
called,  but  are  so  in  deed  and  in  truth. — Thomas  ChalJdy, 


Second  Month  24,]  DAILY    EEADINGS.  55 

"  What  could  have  been  done  more  to  my  vineyard,  that  I  have  not  done  in  it  ? 
Wherefore,  when  I  looked  that  it  should  bring  forth  grapes,  brought  it  forth 
wild  grapes  ?  "  — Isa.  v.  4. 

rr^  HOSE  who  have  set  the  Lord  always  before  them, 
I  dare  not  do  otherwise  than  acknowledge  him  in 
all  their  ways.  They  prefer  Jerusalem  to  their  chief  joy. 
But  how  sorrowfully  does  the  language  of  conduct  pro- 
claim in  many,  that  they  love  the  world,  and  are  striving 
to  get  as  much  of  the  things  of  it  together  as  they  can, 
that  they  may  have  a  name  in  the  earth  !  These  are 
stumbling-blocks  in  the  way  of  honest  inquirers.  The 
prosperity  of  Zion  is  not  their  delight,  therefore  the  Lord 
is  angry.  He  is  angry  with  the  professors  of  the  pure 
unchangeable  truth,  because  they  have  not  honored  him, 
but  have  waxed  fat  with  his  blessings,  and  kicked  at  his 
requisitions.  These  he  will  judge.  Is  he  not  calling, 
has  he  not  called  us  all  the  day  long  ?  Will  he  behold 
iniquity  in  Jacob,  or  perverseness  in  Israel  with  approba- 
tion ?  Surely,  no.  He  spared  not  those  whom,  with  a 
mighty  hand  and  an  outstretched  arm,  he  brought  out  of 
J^gypt,  when  through  grievous  revolt  they  forsook  his 
covenant,  and  cast  his  law  behind  their  backs.  Will  he 
then  own  those  who  in  life  and  practice  disown  him  in 
this  day  ?  It  cainiot  be  consistent  with  his  purity  and 
justice.  My  spirit  is  covered  with  mourning  in  consider- 
ing what  must  be  the  consequence  of  the  many  visita- 
tions that  have  passed  away  unheeded.  —  3Iargaret 
Allen. 

An  upright  pillir  will  bear  a  great  weight. 


56  DAILY   READINGS.  [Second  Month  25. 

"  Search  me,  O  God,  and  know  my  heart :  try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts  : 
and  see  if  there  1)e  any  wicked  way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting." 
— Pealm  cxxxix.  23,  24. 

AMONGST  her  memoranda  are  inserted  the  follow- 
ing queries  and  observations,  which  she  was 
careful  often  to  answer  according  to  the  testimony  of  the 
faithful  witness  in  her  own  conscience. 

Have  I  studied  the  Scriptures  diligently  ? 

Have  I  said  anything  to  the  disadvantage  of  another  ? 

Have  I  indulged  vain  thoughts  ? 

Have  I  profitably  employed  my  time  ? 

Have  I  checked  all  improper  thoughts  and  feelings  ? 

Have  I  in  all  cases  kept  strictly  to  truth  ? 

Have  I  omitted  any  obvious  duty  ? 

Have  I  done  good  to  any  one  ? 

Have  I  gained  any  useful  knowledge  ? 

Have  I  endeavored  to  live  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  ? 

If  I  have  been  enabled  to  pass  a  day  in  a  manner 
which  my  conscience  approves,  oh  !  may  I  not  feel  on 
this  account  any  self-complacency  ;  but  rather  deep  hu- 
miliation under  a  sense  of  my  entire  unworthiness  of  the 
assistance  thus  mercifully  alForded  me:  and  when,  through 
unwatchfulness,  I  have  erred,  let  not  this  too  much  dis- 
courage me,  but  stimulate  me  to  renewed  diligence,  and 
render  me  more  sensible  of  my  entire  dependence  upon  a 
merciful  Creator. — A7in  J3ackhouse,  aged  18. 

Far  from  the  wheat  the  chaff  remove, 

The  gold  from  dross  set  free. 
Till  naught  remains,  save  that  pure  lovo 

"Which  lifts  the  soul  to  thee. 

— Amelie  Opie. 


Seoontj  Month 2t;.]  1>AILY    READINGS.  57 

"  Even  them  will  I  bring  to  my  holy  mountain,  and  make  them  joyftil  in  my 
house  of  prayer :  their  burnt  offerings  and  their  sacrifices  shall  be  accepted 
upon  mine  altar ;  for  mine  house  shall  be  called  an  house  of  prayer  for  all 
people."  — Isa.  Ivi  7. 

I  WISH  it  were  possible  to  make  some  little  record  of 
that  precious,  heavenly  meeting  I  sat  this  morning  : 
the  divine  presence,  and  mercy,  and  goodness,  so  encom- 
passed my  soul,  that  it  seemed  ready  to  wing  its  way 
from  earth  ;  or  as  a  little  bark,  with  a  skillful  pilot  on 
board,  about  to  launch  into  the  ocean  with  a  safe  harbor 
in  view.  *  *  *  *  Language  can  but  feebly  ex- 
press the  sensations  of  my  spirit :  it  was  abilitated  to  join 
in  the  triumphant  song  :  "  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was 
slain,  to  receive  riches,  and  power,  and  glory,  and  hon- 
or, and  blessing."  It  could  willingly  unite  in  adoring 
him  whom  angels  and  archangels  worship  :  "  Great  and 
marvelous  are  thy  works,  Lord  God  Almighty  !  Just 
and  true  are  all  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  saints  !  "  Tears  of 
contrition  and  grateful  joy  fell  abundantly  ;  and,  at 
length,  I  returned  to  that  state  of  poverty  and  emptiness, 
which  is  so  much  my  allotment ;  but  which,  I  humbly 
trust,  is  a  safe  state. 

Her  last  illness,  of  little  more  than  a  week's  continu- 
ance, was  attended  with  much  bodily  suffering  ;  and  she 
often  spoke  with  difficulty  ;  but  was  enabled  to  express, 
in  short  sentences,  the  peace,  the  love,  the  heavenly  joy, 
she  was  graciously  permitted  to  feel,  as  the  solemn  crisis 
approached.  At  one  time  she  said,  "  The  Saviour  died  for 
all." — Esther  Atkins. 

A  good  life  is  sound  philosophy. 


58  DAILY   HEADINGS. 


[Skcond  Month  27. 


"  Let  them  shout  for  joy,  and  be  glad,  that  favor  my  righteous  cause :  yea, 
let  them  say  continually,  Let  the  Lord  be  magnified,  which  hath  pleasure  in  the 
prosperity  of  his  servant."— Psalm  sxxv,  27 

IX  reviewing  the  last  year  of  my  life,  a  period  which 
has  been  important,  and  in  some  respects  deeply 
interesting  to  me,  I  have  thought  that  the  language  comes 
liome  to  my  experience :  "  my  soul  doth  magnify  the 
Lord,  and  my  spirit  doth  rejoice  in  God  my  Saviour." 
At  least  there  have  been  seasons,  when  I  have  seen 
what  abundant  cause  we  have  for  the  abasement  of  self, 
to  magnify  the  Lord ;  though  I  have  often  had  to  pass 
as  through  the  deeps,  though  I  have  often  greatly  feared 
through  the  w^eakness  of  faith,  though  I  know  that  I 
have  inexpressible  cause  for  repentance  and  humiliation 
before  my  God,  yet  I  may  acknowledge  that  there  have 
been  times  when  my  spirit  hath  rejoiced  in  God  my  Sa- 
viour. The  glory,  the  beauty,  the  excellency  of  his 
salvation,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  have  been  in- 
creasingly open  before  me :  I  have  seen  more  clearly 
that  Christ  is  God  our  Saviour,  and  I  believe  that  to 
know  experimentally  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ 
whom  He  has  sent,  is  life  eternal,  and  that  this  knowl- 
edge is  a  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  Ut- 
terly unworthy  as  I  am,  I  have  been  pei-mitted  to  liold 
communion  with  my  Saviour,  and  through  Him  to  draw 
near  unto  my  God.  I  have  known  what  it  is,  not  only 
to  sit  at  his  feet,  but  to  "  hear  his  word,"  and  that  word 
has  spoken  life  and  peace  to  my  souL — Priscilla  Gur- 
ney^  1814. 


Second  Month  28.1  DAILY   READINGS.  69 

"Draw  nigh  to  God,  and  he  will  draw  nigh  to  yon.  Cleanse  your  hands,  ye 
sinners;  and  pnrify  your  hearts,  ye  double  minded."— James  iv.  8. 

"  Humble  yourselves  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and  He  shall  lift  you  np."— 
James  iv.  10. 

IT  remains  to  be  a  solemn  truth,  that  nothing  can  draw 
to  God  but  what  proceeds  from  him ;  and  whatever 
may  be  the  eloquence  or  oratory  of  man,  if  it  be  not 
the  gift  of  God,  under  his  holy  anointing,  which  always  has 
a  tendency  to  humble  the  creature  and  exalt  the  Creator, 
it  will  in  the  end  only  scatter  and  deceive.  It  has  long 
appeared  to  me  that  true  vital  religion  is  a  very  simple 
thing,  although,  from  our  fallen  state,  requiring  continual 
warfare  with  evil  to  keep  it  alive.  It  surely  consists  in 
communion,  and  at  times  a  degree  of  union,  with  our 
Omnipotent  Creator,  through  the  mediation  of  our  Holy 
Redeemer.  And  seeing  these  feelings  cannot  be  produced 
by  eloquent  discourses  or  beautiful  illustrations  of  Scrip- 
ture, but  by  deep  humiliation  and  frequent  baptisms  of 
Spirit,  whereby  the  heart  is  purified  and  fitted  to  receive 
a  greater  degree  of  divine  influence ;  seeing  it  is  produced 
by  daily  prayer,  by  giving  up  our  own  will,  and  seeking 
above  all  things  to  do  the  will  of  our  Heavenly  Father, 
surely  there  is  cause  to  hope  that  those  who  are  convinced 
of  this,  and  who  have  tasted  of  spiritual  communion 
through  this  appointed  means,  will  never  be  satisfied 
with  anything,  however  enticing,  which,  if  not  under  th(^ 
influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  may  well  be  compared  to 
"  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling  cymbal."  — Martha 
Yeardley,  1830. 


60  DAILY    KEADINGS. 


[Third  Month  1. 


"  Blessed  is  the  man  that  walketh  not  in  the  counsel  of  the  ungodly,  nor 
etandeth  in  the  way  of  sinners,  nor  sitteth  in  the  seat  of  the  scornful.  But  his 
delight  is  in  the  law  of  the  Lord ;  and  in  his  law  doth  he  meditate  day  and 
night.  ■■' —Psalm  i.  L  2. 

WHEN  I  view  my  steps  in  life,  and  reflect  how 
greatly  deficient  I  have  been,  I  am  humbled, 
and  have  cause  to  admire  the  great  compassion  and  long- 
suffering  kindness  of  a  gracious  God,  and  with  abase- 
ment acknowledge  it  will  be  of  his  mercy  if  I  am  saved. 
If  I  have  been  helped  at  times  to  be  found  faithful,  it  has 
been,  and  is,  through  the  efficacy  of  grace,  and  therefore 
no  room  to  boast.  My  failure  in  duty  and  watchful- 
ness has  been  great.  Through  the  religious  care  of  pi- 
ous parents  when  young,  and  an  early  sense  of  the  Di- 
vine fear,  I  was  and  have  been  preserved  from  the  gross 
evils  of  the  world  to  this  day,  which  is  a  great  mercy  and 
favor.  But  I  have  often  passed  under  many  hidden  con- 
flicts for  disobedience  and  failure  in  duty,  and  have  at 
times  been  ready  to  despair  ;  yet  I  have  had  to  acknowl- 
edge the  Lord  is  righteous,  whatever  might  be  my  por- 
tion ;  and  after  days  of  sorrow,  and  nights  of  deep  exer- 
cise, he  has  been  pleased  to  renew  light  and  favor ;  un- 
der a  sense  of  which,  1  desire  to  be  found  more  atten- 
tive, diligent,  and  faithful,  the  residue  of  my  days,  es- 
teeming the  light  of  the  Lord's  countenance,  and  the  ev- 
idence of  his  peace,  beyond  all  terrestrial  enjoyments. — 
John  Pemberton,  aged  67,  1*794. 

Thou  alone  thy  balm  applying, 

Canst  this  aching  pang  relieve. 

Balm  that  thou  hast  bought  with  dying. 

Give  and  teach  me  to  receive.  —J.  J.  Guexet. 


TuiED  Month  2.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  61 


"  And  a  man  that  is  clean  shall  gather  ap  the  aphea  of  the  heifer,  and  lay  them 
up  without  the  camp  in  a  clean  place,  and  it  shall  be  kept  for  the  congregation 
of  the  children  of  Israel  for  a  water  of  Beparation ;  it  is  a  purification  for  ein." — 
Numbers  xix,  9, 

THE  leading  of  the  young  generation  in  the  pure 
way,  in  which  the  wisdom  of  this  world  hath  no 
place ;  where  parents  and  tutors,  humbly  waiting  for  the 
heavenly  Counselor,  may  example  them  in  the  truth,  as 
it  is  in  Jesus,  hath  for  several  days  been  the  exercise  of 
my  mind.  O  how  safe,  how  quiet  is  that  state,  where 
the  soul  stands  in  pure  obedience  to  the  voice  of  Christ, 
and  a  watchful  care  is  maintained,  not  to  follow  the  voice 
of  the  stranger  !  Here  Christ  is  felt  to  be  our  shepherd ; 
and  under  his  leading,  people  are  brought  to  stability : 
and  where  he  doth  not  lead  forward,  we  are  bound  in  the 
bonds  of  pure  love,  to  stand  still  and  wait  for  Him. 

In  the  love  of  money,  and  in  the  wisdom  of  this  world? 
business  is  proposed,  then  the  urgency  of  affairs  push 
forward,  and  the  mind  cannot,  in  this  state,  discern  the 
good  and  perfect  will  of  God  concerning  us.  Tlie  love  of 
God  is  manifested  in  graciously  calling  us  to  come  out  of 
that  which  stands  in  confusion;  but  if  we  bow  not  in  the 
name  of  Jesus ;  if  we  give  not  tip  those  prospects  of  gain, 
which,  in  the  wisdom  of  this  world,  are  open  before  us, 
but  say  in  our  heart,  "  I  must  need  go  on ;  and  in  going 
on,  I  hope  to  keep  as  near  the  purity  of  tnith  as  the  busi- 
ness before  me  will  admit  of;  "  the  mind  remains  en- 
tangled, and  the  shining  of  the  light  of  life  into  the  soul 
is  obstructed. — John  Woolrnan,  1772. 


62  DAILY    READINGS. 


[TniKD  Month  3. 


"For  ye  are  bought  with  a  price,  therefore  glorify  God  in  your  body  and  in 
your  spirit,  which  are  God's."—!  Cor.  vi.  20. 

THE  time  seems  to  have  come  in  Avliich  we  must 
necessarily  consider  ourselves  as  not  our  own,  nor 
as  having  a  right  to  do  as  would  be  most  agreeable  to 
our  natural  will,  as  in  the  time  of  more  ignorance,  at 
which  the  Lord  has  been  pleased  to  wink.  But  now  we 
must  remember  we  have  been  bought  with  a  price,  that 
henceforth  we  should  not  live  unto  ourselves,  but  unto 
Him  who  died  for  us,  and  gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all, 
which  we  cannot  experience  but  through  the  death  of 
self  and  selfish  motions  of  the  mind,  which,  if  given  way 
to,  will  produce  sorrow  and  cause  dimness.  I  am  sensi- 
ble that  we  have  our  trials,  and  our  faith  is  frequently 
assaulted  by  the  adversaries  of  truth,  and  enemies  of  pure 
righteousness,  and  these  are  frequently  of  our  own  house. 
I  believe  it  is  safe  to  motions  of  our  own  minds,  lest 
when  under  trials  we  should  fall  into  poor  Israel's  condi- 
tion and  murmur  against  the  Lord,  by  which  we  should 
render  ourselves  unworthy  of  an  inheritance  in  the  good 
land.  We  must  remember  some  who  "  came  out  with  a 
strong  hand,  and  an  outstretched  arm,"  and  had  been 
baptized  unto  Moses  in  the  cloud  and  in  the  sea,  ( which  I 
take  to  be  a  baptism  of  tears,  under  some  very  painful 
conflicts  of  mind,)  who  were  wonderfully  carried  through, 
BO  as  to  sing  his  praise  on  the  banks  of  deliverance ;  and 
yet,  by  letting  in  discouragements,  and  a  disposition  of 
mind  contrary  to  the  pure  will  of  the  Lord,  they  fell  in 
the  wilderness. — David  Sancl%  1779. 


Third  Month  4.]  DA.ILY   READINGS. 


63 


"  In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Wo  d 
was  God."— John  i.  1. 

WE  own  and  believe  in  God,  the  only  wise,  omnipo- 
tent, and  everlasting  God,  the  Creator  of  all 
tilings  in  heaven  and  earth,  and  the  preserver  of  all  that 
he  hath  made ;  who  is  God  over  all,  blessed  for  ever,  to 
whom  be  all  honor,  glory,  dominion,  praise,  and  thanks- 
ixiving,  both  now  and  for  evermore !  And  we  own  and 
believe  in  Jesus  Christ  his  beloved  and  only  begotten 
Son,  in  whom  he  is  well  pleased  ;  who  was  conceived  by 
the  Holy  Ghost  and  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary  ;  in  whom 
we  have  redemption  through  his  blood,  even  the  forgive- 
ness of  sins ;  who  is  the  express  image  of  the  invisible 
God,  the  first-born  of  every  creature,  by  whom  were  all 
things  created  that  are  in  heaven  and  in  earth,  visible 
and  invisible,  whether  they  be  thrones,  dominions,  prin- 
cipalities or  powers  ;  all  things  were  created  by  him.  And 
we  own  and  believe  that  he  was  made  a  sacrifice  for  sin, 
who  knew  no  sin,  neither  was  guile  found  in  his  mouth, 
that  he  was  crucified  for  us  in  the  flesh,  without  the  gates 
of  Jerusalem ;  and  that  he  was  buried,  and  rose  again 
of  the  third  day  by  the  power  of  his  Father,  for  our  jus- 
tification ;  and  that  he  ascended  up  into  heaven,  and  now 
sittoth  at  the  right  hand  of  God. 

We  believe  that  he  alone  is  our  Redeemer  and  Saviour, 
the  Captain  of  our  salvation.  Alpha  and  Omega,  the 
First  and  the  Last. —  George  Fox  to  the  Governor  of  Bar- 
hadoes^  1671. 

Goodness  only  is  trne  greatness. 


64 


DAILY    READIXGS.  [Thhid  Month  5. 


"  And  he  that  taketh  not  his  cro?8  and  foUoweth  after  me  is  not  worthy  of 
me."— Matt.  x.  38. 

THE  way,  like  the  cross,  is  spiritual ;  that  is,  an  in- 
ward submission  of  the  soul  to  the  will  of  God, 
as  it  is  manifested  by  the  light  of  Christ  in  the  con- 
sciences of  men ;  though  it  be  contrary  to  their  own  in- 
clinations. For  example :  when  evil  presents,  that  which 
shows  the  evil  does  also  tell  them  they  should  not  yield 
to  it ;  and  if  they  close  with  its  counsel,  it  gives  them 
power  to  escape  it.  But  they  that  look  and  gaze  upon 
the  temptation,  at  last  fall  in  with  it,  and  are  overcome 
by  it ;  the  consequence  of  which  is  guilt  and  judgment. 

Therefore,  as  the  cross  of  Christ  is  that  spirit  and  power 
in  men,  though  not  of  men,  but  of  God,  which  crosseth 
and  reproveth  their  fleshly  lust  and  affections ;  so  the 
way  of  taking  up  the  cross  is  an  entire  resignation  of 
Jioul  to  the  discoveries  and  requirings  of  it ;  not  to  con- 
sult their  worldly  pleasure,  or  carnal  ease  or  interest  (for 
such  are  captivated  in  a  moment),  but  continually  to 
watch  against  the  very  appearance  of  evil,  and  by  the 
obedience  of  faith,  that  is,  of  true  love  and  confidence 
in  God,  cheerfully  to  ofier  up  to  the  death  of  the  cross, 
that  evil  part,  that  Judas  in  themselves,  which,  not  en- 
during the  heat  of  the  siege,  and  being  impatient  in  the 
hour  of  temptation,  would  by  its  near  relation  to  the 
tempter,  more  easily  betray  their  souls  into  his  hands. 

Hence,  they  that  cannot  endure  the  cross,  can  never 
have  the  crown. 

To  reign,  it  is  necessary  first  to  suflTer. —  Wm.  JPenn, 


Third  Month  6.]  DAILY   READINGS.  65 

"  And  daily  in  the  temple,  and  in  every  house,  they  ceased  not  to  teach  and 
preach  Jesus  Christ."— Acts  v.  42. 

HAVING,  since  T  wrote  last,  in  company  with  a  few 
other  friends,  been  engaged  in  visiting  the  fami- 
lies of  Friends  in  our  monthly  meeting,  I  thouglit  I  was 
just  free  to  tell  thee  that  we  got  through  better  than  i 
Vjelieve  any  of  us  had  anticipated;  for  we  had  viewed  this 
service  at  a  distance  in  rather  a  formidable  light.  I  am 
in  no  boasting  disposition,  but  I  would  add,  that  as  we 
went  along,  an  affectionate  desire  for  the  welfare  of  our 
friends  accompanied  us  from  house  to  house,  which  seem- 
ed to  be  rather  productive  of  an  uniting  than  a  scattering 
influence,  which  leads  me  to  hope  that  it  was  a  degree  of 
our  Heavenly  Father's  love,  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts, 
towards  our  brethren.     *     *     * 

Whilst  writing  on  this  subject,  and  viewing  those  in- 
firmities and  imperfections  which  perhaps  not  only  myself, 
but  many  of  my  dear  fellow-professors  have  to  deplore,  I 
am  ready  to  utter  the  petition,  "  Lord,  enter  not  into  judg- 
ment with  thy  servants ;  for  in  thy  sight  shall  no  flesh  be 
justified."  Yet  lam  not  dismayed  by  this  awful  consider- 
ation, my  past  experience  (and  as  it  is  one  neither  calcu- 
lated to  excite  nor  nourish  vanity,  I  perhaps  may  be  al- 
lowed to  mention  it,)  of  the  Divine  long-suifering  is  such  ; 
and  so  firm  is  my  belief,  that  if  we  will^  we  may  yet  be 
gathered,  that  notwithstanding  all  opposition  from  within 
and  without,  both  which  I  know  to  be  powerful,  my  spirit 
is  mercifully  permitted  to  repose  in  "  penitential  peace  and 
cheerful  hope." — Jonathan  Hutchinson,  1809. 


66  DAILY    READINGS.  [Third  Month  7 

"Blessed  are  they  that  mourn  ;  for  they  shall  be  comforted."— Matt.  v.  4. 

r^FlHE  mourning  here  spoken  of  is  of  a  godly  sort, 
JL  which  may  sometimes  appear  outwardly.  First, 
the  soul  may  mourn  for  its  own  sins  and  iniquities ;  sec- 
ond, for  want  of  a  Saviour;  and  third,  for  the  iniquities 
of  others,  "  All  have  sinned,  and  come  short  of  the  glory, 
of  God ; "  and  since  we  have  all  sinned,  we  have  all  need 
to  mourn  before  the  Lord,  and  bow  ourselves  before  the 
Most  High  ;  and  when  he  sees  that  we  are  humbled  be- 
fore him,  he  will  comfort  us.  Christ  will  send  the  Com- 
forter, the  Spirit  of  truth,  in  his  name,  who  will  come  unto 
us  ;  and  when  he  is  come,  we  may  plainly  know  that  it  is 
he,  by  what  he  doth,  according  to  Christ's  own  rule,  which 
is  infallible  and  certain.  He  says,  "  When  he  is  come, 
he  will  reprove,  or  convince  the  world  of  sin,  of  right- 
eousness, and  of  judgment ;  of  sin,  because  they  believe 
not  on  me  ;  of  righteousness,  because  I  go  to  my  Father, 
and  ye  see  me  no  more ;  and  of  judgment,  because  the 
prince  of  this  world  is  judged."  Thus,  according  to 
Christ,  that  which  shows  us  our  sins,  which  convinces 
us  of  them,  is  the  Spirit  of  truth,  the  Comforter;  and 
after  we  have  mourned  for  the  sins  of  which  he  convinces 
us,  then  he  comforts  us  with  inward  comfort  and  consola- 
tion. This  Comforter  also  convinceth  us  of  our  formal 
righteousness,  when  it  is  only  formal,  without  the  power 
of  Christ  ;  and  then  the  soul  mourns  after  the  life  and 
power  of  godliness,  which  indeed  is  gr.'at  gain,  with  true 
contentment ;  and  hath  the  promise  of  the  tilings  of  this 
life,  and  of  that  also  which  is  to  come. — Thomas  GhaXkly. 


Third  Month  8.1 


DAILY   READINGS.  67 


"  That  wc  henceforth  be  no  more  children,  tossed  to  and  fro,  and  carried 
abont  with  every  wind  of  doctrine,  by  the  sleight  of  men,  and  cunning  crafti- 
ness, whereby  they  lie  in  wait  to  deceive.  But  speaiiing  the  truth  in  love,  may 
grow  np  into  him  in  all  things,  which  i?  the  head,  even  Christ :  from  whom 
the  whole  body  fitly  joined  together,  and  compacted  by  that  which  every  joint 
Bupplieth,  according  to  the  effectual  working  in  the  measure  of  every  part,  ma- 
keth  increase  of  the  body  unto  the  edifying  of  itself  in  love."— Eph.  iv.  14, 15, 16, 

IT  seems  more  than  probable  my  time  will  not  be  pro- 
tracted very  long  in  this  probationary  state ;  and 
throngh  redeeming  love  and  mercy  I  am  enabled  to  anti- 
cipate the  close  without  dismay;  fully  believing  that 
through  the  efficacy  of  the  merits  and  mediation  of  a  cru- 
cified Lord,  death  will  have  no  sting,  nor  the  grave  any 
victory.  I  mention  this  in  the  deepest  humility,  to  satis- 
f)'^  thee  on  a  point  in  which  I  know  thou  wilt  feel  a  deep 
and  lively  interest,  shouldst  thou  survive  me  in  the  jour- 
ney through  time,  I  remain  unmoved  in  all  points  of 
Christian  doctrine  as  held  by  our  early  Friends,  and  by 
faithful  brethren  since  their  time,  *****  jyiay 
the  feeling  of  infirmity  quicken  my  diligence  in  the 
great  work  of  the  day,  so  that  when  the  solemn  period 
arrives  in  which  I  must  bid  a  final  farewell  to  all  visible 
things,  I  may,  through  divine  mercy,  be  enabled  to 
adopt  the  language,  "Although  the  earthly  house  of 
this  tabernacle  be  dissolved,  I  have  a  building  of  God,  a 
nouse  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens." 
There,  with  the  collected  just  of  all  generations,  I  shall 
be  for  ever  with  the  Lord,  employed  in  the  unceasing 
song  of  thanksgiving  and  praise  to  him  who  is  the  au- 
thor and  finisher  of  our  faith,  and  who  wrought  all  our 
works  in  us. —  George  Withy, 


68  DAILY  READINGS.  [Thikd  Month  9. 

"And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  before  they  call,  I  will  answer  ;  and  while 
they  are  speaking,  I  will  hear."— Isa.  Ixv.  ai. 

UNTO  thee,  oh  !  my  God  !  is  my  heart  turned — unto 
thee,  who  art  adorable  in  mercy — mighty  in  pow- 
er— wonderful  in  working — beseeching  thee  to  cleanse 
me  thoroughly — to  purify  my  heart — to  redeem  from 
all  those  things  which  do  not  stand  with  acceptance  in 
thy  divine  sight.  And  may  it  please  thee  to  make  dark- 
ness light  before  me — to  lengthen  my  cords  and  strength- 
en my  stakes — that  I  may  be  more  bound  unto  thee,  and 
to  thy  truth,  in  the  covenant  of  life  and  of  love.  And,  I 
pray  thee,  (tliough  I  feelingly  acknowledge  my  u:nwor- 
thiness,)  remember  my  long  poverty,  and  my  want  of 
the  descendings  of  thy  heavenly  dew.  And  oh  !  mayst 
thou  be  pleased  to  condescend  to  take  up  thy  abode  with 
me,  that  I  may  be  favored  to  dwell  in  thee,  and  walk  in 
thee  ;  all  my  thoughts,  words,  and  actions,  brought  into 
conformity  to  thy  pure  will.  Thus,  gracious,  all-power- 
ful Father  !  mayst  thou  help  me,  thy  poor,  weak,  depend- 
ent creature ;  and  enable  me  to  serve  thee  in  upright- 
ness, the  remainder  of  my  stay  here  ;  living  to  thy  glo- 
ry, and  fitted  to  glorify  thy  great  and  excellent  name,  ip 
the  world  to  come — even   for  ever  and  ever, — Rachel 


And  when  faith  shall  end  in  vision,  fjuf 

And  when  prayer  is  lost  in  praise, 
Then  shall  love  in  full  fruition 

Justify  Thy  secret  ways. 

—Jane  Crewpsow. 


TniKD  Month  10.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  69 


"  So  teach  us  to  number  our  days,  that  we  may  apply  our  hearts  unto  wis- 
dom."—Psalm  xc.  12. 

I  FEEL  very  desirous  that  I  may  keep  my  place,  that 
I  may  be  just  what  the  Almighty  would  have  me  to 
be,  that  his  will  may  be  done  in  me,  by  me,  and  through 
me.  These  lines  have  been  so  sweetly  revived  when  in 
a  feeble  state,  and  feeling  a  peaceful  calm  and  quiet,  I 
thought  I  could  with  propriety  adopt  them  as  the  pres- 
ent state  of  my  mind  : — 

"  IIoAv  are  thy  servants  blest,  O  Lordl 
IIow  sure  is  their  defense  ! 
Eternal  Wisdom  is  their  guide  ; 
Their  help.  Omnipotence." 

How  comfortable,  when  we  can  rightly  number  and 
appreciate  our  blessings  !  knowing  our  place  of  defense 
to  be  the  munitions  of  rocks,  bread  to  be  given  us,  and 
our  water  to  be  sure ;  receiving  all  from  the  divine  hand, 
and  experiencing  that  wisdom  which  is  from  above,  and 
is  profitable  to  direct  in  all  our  movements.  May  this 
be  more  and  more  my  happy  experience,  through  the  re- 
mainder of  my  life,  that  when  the  evening  comes,  the 
work  may  be  so  completed,  that  I  may  receive  the  an- 
swer of  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter 
tliou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord."  O  blessed  change,  glo- 
rious triumph  !  to  be  admitted  into  the  mansion  of  eter- 
nal rest,  there  to  sing  praises  unto  the  most  high  God, 
and  tlie  Lamb,  who  is  worthy  for  ever  and  ever. — Eliza- 
heth  Collins^  aged  66,  1821. 

In  silence  seek  the  path  of  peace. 


YO  DAILY    READINGS. 


[TuiiiD  Month  II 


"  Therefore  I  take  pleasure  in  infirmities,  in  reproaches,  in  necessities,  in 
persecutions,  in  distresses  for  Christ's  salce;  for  when  I  am  weak,  then  am 
I  strong."— 2  Cor.  xii.  10. 

IN  the  evening  my  mind  was  unusually  comforta- 
ble and  easy ;  indeed,  I  felt  something  of  an  humble 
rejoicing,  not  very  frequent  with  me ;  but  I  desire  to  be 
willing  patiently  to  endure  all  the  baptisms  which  are 
seen  needful  for  me,  not  only  on  my  own  account,  but 
also  on  account  of  the  body  at  large  ;  yet,  she  adds,  "  I 
dare  say  but  little  about  the  latter ;  I  have  so  many 
things  to  strive  with,  so  many  wrong  propensities  that 
might  get  the  better,  if  I  were  not  thus  proved  and  tried 
— self  appears  in  so  many  different  shapes,  it  would 
intrude  itself  upon  almost  every  engagement  without 
great  care ;  this  left  hand  of  self  would  know,  and  take 
some  credit  for,  what  the  right  hand  doeth,  even  after  it 
has  been  done  in  sincerity  of  heart,  as  unto  God,  and  not 
unto  men.  Oh,  it  is  a  precious  thing  to  be  lowly  and 
simple-hearted  !  to  let  self  be  of  no  reputation,  to  be  will- 
ing to  be  any  thing  or  nothing,  resigned  fully  either  to 
do,  or  to  suffer!  I  believe  that  divine  help  is  never  more 
conspicuous  than  in  our  weakness,  that,  under  feelings 
of  weakness,  what  we  have  to  deliver,  is  more  pure  and 
free  from  the  mixture. — Elizaheth  Hohson. 

And  whilst  the  sense  of  conscious  sin, 
My  tremblin<?  soul  with  anguish  shakes, 

And  hope  thy  pardoning  love  to  win, 
My  fainting,  sinking  heart  forsakes. 

—Amelia  Opib. 


Third  Month  12.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  71 


"  Bat  we  have  this  treasure  in  earthen  ve  sels,  that  the  excellency  of  the 
oower  may  be  of  God,  and  not  of  us."—  2  Cor.  iv.  7. 

IN  that  love  wliicli  in  time  past  we  have  enjoyed  to* 
gether,  do  I  heartily  salute  you,  having  in  mind 
some  few  things  to  impart,  as  counsel  and  caution  to  us 
all,  including  myself  therein. 

We  who  apprehend  ourselves  called  into  this  public 
station  of  preaching,  ought  closely  to  wait  on  our  guide, 
to  put  us  forth  in  the  work.  And,  dear  friends,  I  see 
great  need  for  us  carefully  to  mind  our  openings,  and  go 
on  as  we  are  led  by  the  Spirit ;  for  if  we  over-run  our 
guide,  we  shall  be  confused,  not  knowing  where,  or  how 
to  conclude :  but  if  we  begin  and  go  on  with  the  Spirit, 
we  shall  conclude  so,  that  all  who  are  truly  spiritual  will 
sensibly  feel  that  we  are  right :  then  will  our  ministry 
edify  those  who  hear  it. 

Dear  Friends,  let  us  be  singly  and  in  sincerity  devot- 
ed to  the  will  of  God,  whether  to  preach  or  be  silent ; 
for  if  we  are  not  sensible  of  such  a  resignation,  we  may  set 
ourselves  at  work,  when  we  should  be  quiet,  and  so  bring 
an  uneasiness  upon  our  friends,  and  a  burthen  upon  our- 
selves. *  *  And,  my  dear  Friend6,every  time  you  ap- 
pear in  the  ministry,  when  it  is  over,  examine  yourselves 
narrowly,  whether  you  have  kept  in  your  places  and  to  your 
guide;  and  consider  wliether  you  have  not  used  superfluous 
words,  that  render  the  matter  disagreeable,  or  such  tones 
or  gestures  as  do  not  become  the  work  we  are  about,  al- 
ways remembering  that  the  ti-ue  ministers  preacli  not 
tlu'inselves,  but  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. — Samuel  Bo ir mis. 


DAILY   KEADINGS.  [Third  Month  >3 


"  And  as  he  journeyed,  he  came  near  Damascus  :  and  suddenly  there  shined 
round  about  him  a  light  from  heaven  ."—Acts  ix.  3. 

THROUGH  adorable  mercy,  the  visitation  of  the  Lord 
was  now  again  extended  toward  me,  by  the  im- 
mediate openings  of  the  Divine  light  on  my  soul.  One 
evening,  as  I  was  walking  in  the  fields,  alone,  my  mind 
being  under  no  kind  of  religious  concern,  nor  in  the  least 
excited  b}-  anything  I  had  heard  or  thought  of,  I  was 
suddenly  arrested  by  what  seemed  to  be  an  awful  voice 
proclaiming  the  words,  "  Eternity !  Eternity !  Eternity  ! " 
It  reached  my  very  soul, — my  whole  man  shook, — it 
brought  me,  like  Saul,  to  the  ground.  The  great  de- 
pravity and  sinfulness  of  my  heart  were  set  open  before 
me,  and  the  gulf  of  everlasting  destruction  to  which  I 
was  verging.  I  was  made  bitterly  to  cry  out,  "  If  there 
is  no  God — doubtless  there  is  a  hell."  I  found  myself  as 
in  the  midst  of  it.  For  a  long  time  it  seemed  as  if  the 
thundering  proclamation  was  yet  heard.  After  that  I 
remained  almost  whole  days  and  nights,  exercised  in 
prayer  that  the  Lord  would  have  mercy  u})on  me,  ex- 
pecting that  he  would  give  me  some  evidence  that  he 
heard  my  supplication.  But  for  this  I  Avas  looking  to 
some  outward  manifestation,  my  expectation  being  et*-' 
tirely  of  that  nature.  '  ."^ 

I  now  took  up  again  the  works  of  William  Penn,  and 
opened  upon  "  No  Cross,  No  Crown."  *  *  I  had  never 
met  with  anything  of  the  kind;  neither  had  I  felt  the 
Divine  witness  in  me  operating  so  powerfully  before. — 
Stephen  Grellet^  aged  22. 


Third  Month  14.]  DAILY    HEADINGS. 


"And  thou  Shalt  teach  them  diligently  uuto  thy  children,  and  shall  talk  of 
them  when  thou  eittest  in  thine  house,  and  when  thou  walkest  by  the  way,  aud 
when  thou  liest  down,  and  when  thou  risest  up."— Deut.  vi.  7. 


AND,  dear  Friends,  it  having  frequently  been  recom- 
mended that  Friends  should  be  diligent  in  pro- 
viding scliools  for  tlie  education  of  their  youtli ;  not  only  in 
useful  and  necessary  learning,  but  also  to  bring  them  up 
in  the  fear  of  God,  and  in  a  sense  of  his  holy  life  upon 
their  spirits,  and  in  frequent  reading  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
and  other  good  books  :  so  we  have  accounts  from  divers 
parts  of  this  kingdom,  that  Friends  are  in  practice  thereof, 
and  have  had  good  success  on  their  endeavors  therein  ; 
yet  we  have  also  accounts,  that  there  is  in  some  places 
want  of  schools.  And  (as  hath  been  advised  in  the 
epistle  of  this  meeting.  Anno  1709),  "Where  Friends 
want  ability,  their  monthly  and  quarterly  meetings 
are  desired  to  assist  them,  that  the  children  of  the  poor 
may  have  due  help  of  education,  instruction,  and  neces- 
sary learning ;  and  that  the  children  both  of  rich  and 
poor  may  be  early  provided  with  industrious  employ- 
ments, that  they  may  not  grow  up  in  idleness,  loose- 
ness and  vice  ;  but  that,  being  thus  seasoned  with  the 
truth,  sanctified  of  God,  and  taught  our  holy,  self-deny- 
ing way,  they  may  appear  a  reputation  to  our  holy 
profession,  and  the  comfort  of  their  honest  parents." 

And,  dear  Friends,  with  respect  to  the  poor  among 
lie,  it  ought  to  be  considered,  that  the  poor  (both  par- 
ents and  children)  are  of  our  familj^,  and  ought  not  to  be 
turned  off  to  any  others. — London  Epistle^  1718. 


DAILY    READIXGS.  [Third  SIonth  15 


"  Holding  fa^Jt  the  faithful  word  as  he  hath  been  taught,  that  he  may  be  able 
by  sound  doctrine  both  to  exhort  and  to  convince  the  gainsayers."— Titus  i.  9. 

AN  humble  reliance  on  the  teachmgs  of  the  Spirit,  and 
a  diligent  use  of  the  sacred  Scriptures,  were  the 
means  of  leading  our  forefathers  into  all  those  distin- 
guishing views  and  practices  which  are  described  in  their 
writings.  If  this  be  true,  and  we  have  abundant  reason 
for  believing  it  to  be  so,  what  ought  to  be  our  course  ? 
Shall  we  turn  our  backs  on  our  high  Christian  views  of 
the  spirituality  of  true  worship  ?  Shall  we  return  to  cere- 
monial and  figurative  rites?  Shall  we  make  way  in  our 
meetings  for  a  ministry  which  one  man  may  prepare, 
and  another  appoint  ?  Shall  w^e  cease  from  our  testimony 
against  all  pecuniary  corruption  in  the  church  ?  Shall  we 
forget  the  sweetness  and  solemnity  of  true  silence  ?  Shall 
we  surrender  our  Saviour's  standard  of  the  yea  and.  nay, 
and  no  longer  refuse  an  oath  when  expediency  is  sup- 
posed, to  d  emand  it  ?  Shall  we,  after  all  our  peaceable  pro- 
fessions, recur  to  the  warfare  of  the  world.  ?  Shall  we  for- 
sake our  simplicity  in  dress  and  language,  and  break 
down  a  hedge  which  so  usefully  protects  many  of  our 
beloved  young  people  from  the  vanities  of  the  world  ?  In 
short,  shall  we  renounce  that  itnhending  adherence  to  the 
rule  of  right  in  wliich  our  forefathers  were  distinguished? 
If  such,  through  tlie  Aviles  of  Satan,  should  be  our  com'se, 
how  awful  and  affecting  must  be  the  consequence.  The 
gracious  purpose  for  w'hich  we  were  raised  up  to  be  a  peo- 
ple will  be  frustrated  through  our  want  of  faithfulness. — 
Josejyh  John  Garney. 


Third  Month  16.]  DAILY   READINGS.  ^5 

"  Love  not  the  world,  neither  the  things  in  the  world.    If  any  man  love  the 
world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him,"— 1  John  ii.  15. 

TO  all  you,  ray  dear  Friends,  who  have  tasted  of  the 
immediate  working  power  of  the  Lord,  and  do 
find  an  alteration  in  your  minds,  and  do  see  from  whence 
virtue  doth  eome,  and  strength,  that  doth  renew  the  in- 
ward man,  and  doth  refresh  you ;  draws  you  in  love  to 
forsake  tlie  world,  and  that  which  hath  form  and  beauty 
in  it  to  the  eye  of  the  world;  and  hath  turned  your 
minds  within,  which  see  your  houses  foul,  and  corrup- 
tions strong,  and  the  rcay  narrow  and  straight  which 
leads  to  life  eternal ;  to  all  I  say,  wait  upon  God  in  that 
which  is  pure.  Though  you  see  little,  and  know  little, 
and  have  little,  and  see  your  emptyness,  and  see  your 
nakedness,  and  barrenness,  and  unfruitfulness,  and  see 
the  hardness  of  your  heart  and  your  own  unworthiness ; 
it  is  the  light  that  discovers  all  this,  and  the  love  of  God 
to  you,  and  it  is  that  which  is  immediate,  but  the  dark 
understanding  cannot  comprehend  it.  So,  wait  upon 
God  in  that  which  is  pure,  in  your  measure,  and  stand 
still  in  it  every  one,  to  make  you  to  see  your  Saviour,  to 
make  you  free  from  that  which  the  Light  doth  discover 
to  you  to  be  evil.  For  the  voice  of  the  Bridegroom  is 
heard  in  our  land ;  and  Christ  is  come  amongst  the  pris- 
oners, to  visit  them  in  the  prison-houses  ;  they  have  all 
hopes  of  releasement  and  free  pardon,  and  to  come  out 
freely,  for  the  debt  is  paid  ;  wait  for  the  manifestation 
of  it,  and  he  that  comes  out  of  the  prison  shall  reign. — 
George  Fox. 


76  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Third  SIonth  17. 


"  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hoets  ;  In  those  days  it  shall  come  to  pasa,  that  ten 
men  shall  take  hold  out  of  all  Iinguagos  of  the  nations,  even  shuU  take  hold  of 
the  skirt  of  him  that  is  a  Jew,  saying,  We  will  go  wiih  you  ;  for  we  have  heard 
that  God  is  with  you."— Zechariah  viii.  23. 


THE  fields  in  many  parts  I  have  visited  are  white 
unto  harvest,  so  that  sometunes  I  have  wished  that 
I  might  have  the  life  of  Methusalah,  or  that  the  sun  might 
never  go  down,  that  I  might  do  my  share  of  that  great 
work  which  is  to  be  done  in  these  nations.  There  is  a 
most  precious  seed  in  these  parts,  and  in  places  where  1 
have  not  actually  visited  it.  O,  did  our  Society  stand 
faithful,  what  a  blessing  they  might  become  !  Many  are 
ready  to  gather  to  the  standard  of  truth,  from  among 
all  the  various  denominations  and  ranks.  I  have  been 
with  rich  and  poor,  princes  and  prhicesses,  Protestant 
ministers  and  Popish  priests,  all  speaking  but  one  lan- 
guage, not  upholding  forms  and  ceremonies,  but  Christ 
and  his  spirit.  I  have  visited  various  of  those  Romish 
priests  in  Bavaria,  of  whom  we  had  heard,  and  have  found 
them  to  be  spiritually-minded  men.  I  am  nearly  united 
to  some  of  them.  A  few  have  married,  and  have  answered 
those  who  have  come  to  visit  them  on  that  account,  out  of 
the  Scriptures,  and  the  practice  of  the  Primitive  Church ; 
and  they  continue  Romish  priests  still,  much  beloved  % 
the  people,  among  whom  they  exercise  a  good  influence. 
*  *  *  Some  of  their  priests  told  me,  that  they  believed 
it  to  be  their  duty  to  remain  in  their  places  for  the  sake 
of  the  people  about  them,  and  to  help  others  to  come  into 
the  same  spmtuality. — Stephen  Grellet^  aged  40. 


Third  Month  18.]  DAILY   READINGS.  77 

"For  wliateoever  is  Lorn  of  God  overcometh  the  world :  nnd  this  is  the  vic- 
tory that  overcometh  the  world,  even  our  faith.  Who  is  he  that  overcometh 
the  world,  but  he  that  bclieveth  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God  ?  "—1  John  v.  4,  5. 

THERE  are  few  passages  in  Scripture  that  have 
been  more  animating  or  comforting  to  me  than 
the  promises  in  the  Revelations  to  those  who  overcome. 
I  have  dwelt  on  them  with  a  peculiar  interest,  and  I  be- 
lieve with  a  renewed  desire  for  us  who  remain,  that  we 
may  with  more  faith,  more  humility,  and  more  entire 
and  simple  obedience,  enlist  under  the  banner  of  the 
Captain  of  our  salvation,  that  we  may  follow  Him 
whithersoever  He  leadeth  us,  that  we  may  trust  in  Him 
with  our  whole  hearts,  until  we  know  the  victory  to  be 
obtained  through  Him  over  sin  and  the  world,  and  over 
(Jeath.  *  *  *  It  is  indeed  the  prayer  of  my  heart,  my 
dearest  Joseph,  that  thou  mightest  be  encouraged  and  en- 
abled yet  to  go  on,  yet  to  press  forward  in  every  religi- 
ous, domestic,  and  public  duty,  in  quietness  and  humility, 
"not  slothful  in  business,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the 
Lordy  When  the  curtain  drops,  and  the  scene  closes 
here,  how  is  then  every  sacrifice  in  the  cause  of  religion, 
how  is  every  act  of  faith  and  obedience  to  be  prized  ;  how 
inestimable  do  they  become  as  evidences  of  that  grace  by 
which  alone  we  are  saved  !  Whilst  thus  separated  from 
the  world,  and  withdrawn  from  service,  and  feeling  of 
my  own  poverty  and  littleness  in  every  way,  the  desire 
is  still  lively  for  the  faithful  servants  of  the  Lord,  that 
they  may  be  steadfast  and  immovable,  always  abound- 
ing in  the  work  of  the  Lord. — Priscilla  Gxirney^  1810. 


78  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Third  Month  19. 


"Because  thou  hast  kept  the  word  of. my  patience,  I  also  will  keep  thee 
from  the  hour  of  temptation,  which  shall  come  upon  all  the  world,  to  try  them 
that  dwell  upon  the  earth."— Rev.  iii.  10. 

DOMESTIC  life  presents  many  opportunities  for  the 
exercise  of  virtue,  as  well  as  the  more  exalted 
stations  of  honor  and  ambition.  For,  though  its  sphere 
is  more  humble,  and  its  transactions  are  less  splendid, 
yet  the  duties  peculiarly  incumbent  on  it  constitute  the 
basis  of  all  public  character.  Perfection  in  private  life 
is  by  far  the  more  arduous  attainment  of  the  two ;  since 
it  involves  a  higher  degree  of  virtue,  to  acquire  the  cool 
and  silent  admiration  of  constant  and  close  observers, 
than  to  catch  the  undistinguishing  applause  of  the  vul- 
gar. Men,  accustomed  to  the  business  of  the  world,  may 
think  it  a  mean  occupation  to  be  engaged  in  the  duties  of  a 
family.  *  *  *  How  many  daily  occasions  there  are 
for  the  exercise  of  patience,  forbearance,  benevolence, 
good  humor,  cheerfulness,  candor,  sincerity,  compassion, 
self-denial !  How  many  instances  occur  of  satirical  hints, 
of  ill-natured  witticisms,  of  fretfulness,  impatience,  strife, 
and  envyings ;  besides  those  of  disrespect,  discontent, 
sloth,  and  very  many  other  seeds  of  evil,  the  magnitude 
of  which  is  perhaps  small,  but  for  the  guilt  of  which  we 
shall  most  assuredly  be  judged.  When  we  consider  that 
private  life  also  has  its  trials,  temptations,  and  troubles, 
it  ought  surely  to  make  us  vigilant,  when  around  our 
own  fire-side,  lest  we  should  quiet  our  apprehensions, 
and  cease  from  our  daily  watchfulness. — John  Barclay^ 
1814. 


T'ltRD  Month  20.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  7^ 


"  I  challbe  satisfied,  when  I  awake,  with  thy  likeness."— Psalm  xvii,  16. 

I  WAS  sweetly  comforted  by  what  seemed  too  cleai- 
and  distinct  for  a  dream.  I  thought  I  saw  a  num- 
ber of  persons,  whose  countenance  betokened  perfect 
happiness — they  smiled  upon  me,  and  said  they  were 
praying  for  me.  At  first  I  thought  they  were  Christians 
on  earth,  but  I  was  afterwards  made  sensible  that  they 
were  some  of  the  blest  inhabitants  of  Zion ;  and  oh,  I  do 
rejoice  in  believing,  that,  when  permitted  to  join  their 
happy  band,  I  may  thus  be  engaged  on  behalf  of  the  many 
loved  ones  I  must  leave  behind  me  in  the  wilderness.  O, 
may  you  have  your  every  want  supplied,  as  mine  have 
been,  when  you  may  need  the  care  I  have  so  abundantly 
experienced.  Oh,  how  delightful  rest  will  be  after  this; 
but  I  do  not  think  I  desire  even  rest  so  much  as  to  be 
where  I  shall  be  free  from  all  wandering  tliougl^ts — -for 
ever  free  from  the  tempter.     *     *     * 

At  this  time  she  repeatedly  said,  Oh,  keep  close  to  the 
Saviour  !  Christ  is  all  to  me  now — Oh,  make  him  your 
friend !  Her  remarkable  self-possession  was  at  this  solemn 
hour  strikingly  evinced.  Having  closed  her  eyes  as  she 
believed  for  ever  on  all  earthly  things,  when  all  about  her 
thought  she  had  ceased  to  breathe,  a  sudden  reaction 
caused  her  to  exclaim  :  Oh  !  I'm  coming  back  again. 
Don't,  oh,  don't  grieve ;  think  how  short  a  separation  ours 
will  be  ;  I  am  going  only  a  little  before — I  shall  see  His 
face  and  never,  never  sin. — Memoir  of  Mary  Ann  Gilpin, 
London,  1838. 


[TmuD  Month  21. 


80  -PAILY     RKADTNOR. 

"  Bat  let  it  be  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart,  in  that  which  is  not  corrnptiblo, 
even  the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  which  \»  in  the  sight  of  God  of 
great  price."— 1  Peter  iii.  4. 

THE  day-star  of  Truth  has  arisen  in  thy  heart ;  fol- 
low thou  its  light  even  unto  salvation.  Live  an 
liarmonious  life  to  the  curious  make  and  frame  of  thy 
creation ;  and  let  the  beauty  of  thy  person  teach  thee  to 
beautify  thy  mind  wdth  holiness — the  ornament  of  the 
beloved  of  God.  Remember  that  the  King  of  Zion's 
daughter  is  all  glorious  within,  and  if  thy  soul  excel,  thy 
body  will  also  set  off  the  luster  of  thy  mind.  Let  not 
the  spirit  of  this  world — ^its  cares  and  its  many  vanities, 
its  fashions  and  discourse — prevail  over  the  civility  of 
thy  nature.  Remember  that  sin  brought  the  first  coat, 
anr^  ^hou  wilt  have  little  reason  to  ba  proud  of  dress,  or 
cue  a^'orning  of  thy  body.  Seek  rather  the  enduring  or- 
nament of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit — the  beauty  and  the 
purity  of  the  altar  of  God's  temple,  rather  than  the  dec- 
oration of  its  outward  walls.  For,  as  the  Spartan  mon- 
arch said,  of  old,  to  his  daughter,  when  he  restrained  her 
from  wearing  the  rich  dresses  of  Sicily:  "Thou  wilt 
seem  more  lovely  to  me  without  them ; " — so  shalt  thou 
seem,  in  thy  loveliness  and  humility,  more  lovely  in  the 
sight  of  heaven,  and  in  the  eyes  of  the  pure  of  earth.  Oh  ! 
preserve  in  their  freshness  thy  present  feelings ;  wait  in 
humble  resignation  and  in  patience,  even  if  it  be  all  thy 
days,  for  the  manifestations  of  him  who  "  as  a  father 
careth  for  all  his  children." —  Wm.  Penn. 


Third  Month  22.]  DAILY   RExit)rSrGS.  81 

'•  Arise,  go  unto  Nineveh,  that  gr  at  city,  and  preach  unto  it  the  preaching 
that  I  bid  thee."— Jonah  iii.  2. 

I  AM  far  from  confining  this  influence  to  the  ministers 
of  our  little  Society,  but  assuredly  believe  that  those 
wlio  are  brought  under  the  immediate  teachings  of  the 
Spirit,  under  every  profession,  will  be  more  convinced 
that  they  cannot  preach  to  profit  the  people,  in  their  own 
will  and  at  their  own  command ;  and  that  as  true  and 
spiritual  religion  prevails,  they  must  in  this  respect  come 
to  us,  and  not  we  go  to  them.  Yet  still  it  is  certainly  a 
day  of  much  excitement  and  of  danger,  especially  to  the 
young  and  unawakened ;  and  there  never  was  a  time 
when  the  members  of  our  Society  were  more  loudly  called 
upon  to  watch  imto  prayer,  both  on  their  own  account 
and  on  account  of  others,  humbly  to  implore,  not  only 
that  the  Holy  Spirit  may  not  be  taken  from  us,  but  that 
a  greater  effusion  of  it  may  be  poui*ed  upon  us  as  a  body, 
that  so  we  may  all  be  made  and  kept  alive  in  Him  in  whom 
is  life,  and  the  life  is  the  light  of  men.  I  believe  this 
would  be  much  more  our  experience,  if  the  things  of  this- 
world  were  kept  in  subjection  by  fervent  daily  prayer 
and  the  obedience  of  faith,  which  remain  to  be  the  means 
pointed  out  by  our  gracious  Redeemer,  of  communion 
with  the  Father  through  Him.  What  can  be  more  pui-e 
than  the  profession  we  make,  to  be  guided  by  the  Holy 
Spirit  ?  And  if  we  really  are  so,  we  shall  be  concerned  to 
maintain  this  daily  exercise  of  heart  before  the  Lord,  and 
yet  become  what  I  reverently  believe  is  his  gracious  will 
respecting  us. — Martha  Ycardley^  1830. 


82  DAILY   READINGS.  [Third  Month  23 

"  For  by  thee  I  have  run  through  a  iroop  ;  and  by  ray  God  1  have  leaped  over 
a  wall."— Psalm  xviil.  29. 

/^^  KEAT  and  manifold  have  been  the  mercies  of  our 
VJT  God  unto  his  people,  in  this  his  day ;  and  his  lov- 
ing-kindnesses are  beyond  expressing.  When  we  were 
young  and  little,  his  fatherly  care  was  over  us;  he  pre- 
served and  nourished  us,  and  caused  us  to  grow  up  be- 
fore him. 

How  did  he  carry  his  lambs  in  his  bosom,  when  the 
beasts  of  prey  roared  on  every  side,  seeking  to  devour  ! 
Who  can  rehearse  the  many  deliverances  He  hath 
wrought  for  his  people,  in  their  passage  from  spiritual 
Egypt !  How  hath  he  girded  their  loins  with  strength, 
and  covered  their  heads  in  the  day  of  battle  !  How  hath 
He  subdued  their  enemies  before  them,  and  put  to  flight 
the  armies  of  aliens ! 

Oh !  his  goodness  is  unutterable,  and  his  faithfulness 
hath  never  failed  them  that  trust  in  him.  When  have 
we  been  in  prison  for  His  sake,  and  He  hath  not  visited 
and  comforted  us  there  ?  In  all  our  exercises  He  hath 
been  with  us,  and  He  hath  stood  by  us  in  our  sorest  tri- 
als ;  yea,  he  hath  caused  his  angel  to  encamp  round  about 
us,  so  that  no  weapon  formed  against  us  hath  prospered. 

These  things  and  much  more  I  could  write,  ye,  my 
dear  friends,  have  been  witness  of ;  ye,  especially  my  elder 
brefhren,  who  were  called  early  in  the  morning  of  this 
day,  and  have  stood  faithful  in  your  testimony  until  now. 
Blessed  be  His  Holy  name ;  and  exalted  and  magnified 
be  Plis  glorious  power  forever. —  Thomas  Ellwood^  1694. 


Thuid  Month  24.] 


DAILY    BEADINGS.  83 


'  Weep  with  them  that  weep."— Rom.  xil.  15. 


I  DOUBT  not  thou*  hast  had  many  affectionate,  sym- 
pathizing, consoling  salutations  from  thy  numerous 
friends,  in  thy  present  solitary  state ;  and,  should  these 
be  withheld,  yet  thou  knowest  where  and  in  whom  are  hid 
mU  the  fresh  springs  of  true  consolation,  as  well  as  all  tlie 
treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge ;  yet  I  had  a  mind  to 
throw  in  my  mite  of  comfort,  liaving  myself  been  tried  in 
like  manner,  with  the  privation  of  a  bosom-friend  and 
partner  in  the  causes  and  comforts  of  this  life,  and  a  faith- 
ful, religious  helpmate.  Infinite  wisdom  has  seen  meet  to 
take  away  from  thee  the  desire  of  thine  eyes,  with  a  stroke  ; 
but  the  reflection  of  thy  having  been  favored  with  so  excel- 
lent a  companion — the  recollection  of  the  many  pleasant, 
profitable  seasons  which  you  had  together,  and  a  sense  of  the 
spiritual  benefit  which  has  accrued  from  your  near  connec- 
tion must  be  attended  with  a  savor  and  consolatory  feel- 
ing which  sweetens  the  bitter  cup.  Thy  tender  care  of 
this  eminent,  honorable  servant,  thy  attention  to  her  wants 
of  every  kind,  and  thy  constant  promoting  and  assisting 
her  in  the  great  work  and  service  in  which  she  was  en- 
gaged on  earth,  must  also  be  a  solid  satisfaction  to  thy 
mind.  So  that  I  wish  thee  to  be  cheered,  to  look  up,  to 
be  encouraged  to  attend  to  the  civil  and  religious  duties 
of  the  remaining  part  of  thy  day. — Richard  Shackleton, 
1791, 

*  Husband  of  Sa^ah  Qrabb. 


84"  DAILY   READINGS.  [Third  Mokth  25. 

"  They  take  the  timbrel  and  harp,  and  rejoice  at  the  sound  of  the  organ.  *  ♦  • 
and  in  a  moment  go  dowTi  to  the  grave," — Job  xxi.  12, 15. 

SHALL  we  cultivate  the  talent  *  and  give  wings  to 
the  fascination  ?  or  shall  we  gently  divert  the 
taste  and  feelings  of  our  pupils  into  some  less  excep- 
tional channel  ? 

When  I  call  to  mind  the  con-uption  of  the  human 
heart,  the  follies  and  vices  of  the  world,  the  enticements 
of  the  concert  and  the  opera,  and  the  easy  access 
afforded,  by  supeiior  skill  in  music,  to  the  center  of  fash- 
ionable life,  I  am  constrained  to  confess  that  the  latter 
appears  to  me  much  the  safer  alternative,  I  am  acquainted 
with  many  families  of  young  people  in  which  the  study 
of  music  is  entirely  avoided  ;  and  T  have  sometimes  been 
thrown  in  the  way  of  other  families  in  which  that  study 
has  been  sedulously  enforced  and  practiced.  I  have  ob- 
served that  mental  cultivation,  practical  usefulness,  and 
sober  domestic  duties,  are,  in  general,  more  prevalent  in 
the  former  than  in  the  latter  classes  of  families ;  and  I  can 
fully  subscribe  to  a  sentiment  which  was  once  expressed 
to  me  by  the  late  excellent  Hannah  More,  that  it  is  no 
venial  error  on  the  part  of  serious  professors  of  religion, 
to  allow  and  encourage  their  daughters  to  spend  those 
livelong  hours,  which  might  have  been  devoted  to  truly 
beneficial  pursuits^  in  the  ceaseless,  tiresome  touch  of  the 
harpsichord  or  piano-forte. — J.  J.  Gwmey, 

*  Music. 

The  truefc-t  end  of  life  is  to  know  the  Bfe  that  never  end». 


TnmD  Month  2G.]  DAILY    READINGS.  86 

"  And  they  that  be  wise  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament ;  and 
they  that  turn  many  to  righteousness  as  the  stars,  for  ever  and  ever."— Daniel 
xii.  8. 

THIS  holy  man,  George  Fox,  was  raised  up  by  God,  in 
an  extraordinary  manner,  for  an  extraordinary 
work,  even  to  awaken  the  sleeping  world,  by  proclaiming 
the  mighty  day  of  the  Lord  to  the  nations,  and  publishing 
again  the  everlasting  Gospel  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth, 
after  the  long  and  dismal  night  of  apostasy  and  darkness. 

For  this  work  the  Lord  began  to  prepare  him  by  many 
and  various  trials  and  exercises  from  his  very  childhood : 
and  being  fitted  and  furnished  for  it,  he  called  him  into  it 
very  young,  and  made  him  instrumental,  by  the  effectual 
working  of  the  Holy  Ghost  through  his  ministry,  to  call 
many  others  into  the  same  work,  and  to  turn  many  thou- 
sands from  darkness  to  the  light  of  Christ,  and  from  the 
power  of  Satan  unto  God, 

I  knew  him  not  until  the  year  1660  ;  from  that  time  to 
the  time  of  his  death  I  knew  him  well,  conversed  with  him 
often,  observed  him  much,  loved  him  dearly,  and  honored 
him  truly  ;  and  upon  good  experience  can  say,  he  was 
indeed  an  heavenly-minded  man,  zealous  for  the  name  of 
the  Lord,  and  preferred  the  honor  of  God  before  all  things. 

He  was  valiant  for  the  Truth,  bold  in  asserting  it,  pa- 
lientin  suffering  for  it,  unwearied  in  laboring  in  it,  steady 
in  his  testimony  to  it,  immovable  as  a  rock.  Deep  he  was 
in  divine  knowledge,  clear  in  opening  heavenly  mysteries, 
])lain  and  powerful  in  preaching,  fervent  in  prayer. 
—  Thomas  Ellwood,  1680. 


86  DAILY    KEA DINGS. 


[Third  Month  2T. 


"Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  ri^hteousneg.s,  which  the  Lord, 
the  righteous  Judge,  shall  give  me  at  that  day.  "—2  Timothy  iv.  8. 

/^  EORGE  FOX  was  richly  endowed  with  heavenly 
vIT"  wisdom,  quick  in  discerning,  sound  in  judgment, 
able  and  ready  in  giving,  discreet  in  keeping  counsel,  a 
lover  of  righteousness,  an  encourager  of  virtue,  temper- 
ance, meekness,  purity,  chastity,  modesty,  humility,  char- 
ity, and  self-denial  in  all,  both  by  word  and  example. 

Graceful  he  was  in  countenance,  manly  in  personage, 
grave  in  gesture,  courteous  in  conversation,  weighty  in 
communication,  instructive  in  discourse,  free  from  affecta- 
tion in  speech  or  carriage.  A  severe  reprover  of  hard 
and  obstinate  sinners,  a  mild  and  gentle  admonisher  of 
such  as  were  tender  and  sensible  of  their  failings.     *     * 

He  lived  to  see  the  desire  of  his  soul,  the  spreading  of 
that  blessed  principle  of  divine  light,  through  many  of 
the  European  nations,  and  not  a  few  of  the  American 
islands  and  provinces,  and  the  gathering  of  many  thou- 
sands into  an  establishment  therein  of  which  the  Lord 
vouchsafed  him  the  honor  to  be  the  first  effectual  pub- 
lisher, in  this  latter  age  of  the  world.  And  having  fought 
a  good  fight,  finished  his  course,  and  kept  tlie  faith,  his 
righteous  soul,  freed  from  the  earthly  tabernacle,  was 
translated  into  those  heavenly  mansions,  whefe  Christ  our 
Lord  went  to  prepare  a  place  for  his  own ;  there  to  pos- 
sess the  glorious  crown  which  is  laid  up  for,  and  shall  be 
given  by  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  to  all  that  love 
his  appearance. — Thomas  Ellwood^  1690. 


Third  Month  28.] 


DAILY    HEADINGS.  87 


"Rejoice,  and  he  exceeding  glad ;  for  great  is  yonr  reward  in  heaven ;  for  8o 
persecuted  they  the  prophets  which  were  before  you.  "—Matt.  v.  12. 

PERSECUTION  is  a  word  of  so  harsh  a  sound,  and 
so  generally  distasteful  to  English  ears,  that 
scarcely  any  of  those  ^vho  are  most  forward  and  active 
in  that  work  are  willing  to  have  their  actions  called  by 
that  name. 

By  persecution  I  mean  a  forcuig  or  compelling  of  any, 
by  pains  or  penalties,  bodily  or  pecuniary,  to  relinquish 
or  forsake  that  exercise  of  religion,  or  way  of  worship, 
which  they  believe  to  be  the  right  way  of  worship,  and  the 
true  and  acceptable  exercise  of  religion,  whicli  God  hath 
required  of  them;  and  to  receive,  embrace,  conform  to, 
and  perform  some  other  exercise  of  religion  and  way  of 
worship,  which  they  who  are  so  compelled  are  either 
firmly  persuaded  is  not  right,  or  at  least  have  no  belief 
that  it  is  right.  This,  in  short,  is  that  which  I  call  per- 
secution ;  and  this  is  that  which  I  dissuade  from,  what- 
ever other  name  the  actors  of  it  may  please  themselves 
in  calling  it  by.     *     *     * 

Have  we  not  always  been  a  quiet,  peaceable,  harmless 
people  ?  When,  being  reviled,  did  we  revile  ?  or  when, 
being  persecuted,  did  we  not  patiently  suffer  it  ?  Do  you 
think  to  root  us  out,  and  destroy  God's  heritage?  It  i^ 
impossible.  The  root  of  Jesse  bears  us;  and  upon  th  > 
immovable  rock  are  we  immovably  built. —  Thomas  Ell- 
wood^  1683. 

Industry  leads  to  wealth ;  Pioty  to  heaven. 


88  DAILY   HEADINGS. 


[Thikd  Month  29. 


"  I  will  al:=o  leave  in  the  midst  of  thee  an  afflicted  and  poor  people,  and  they  ' 
shall  trast  in  the  name  of  the  Lord."— Zeph.  iii.  12. 

HAVE  not  many  of  us  been  already  stiipt  of  all 
their  outward  substance  ? — not  a  bed  being  left 
them  to  lie  on — not  a  stool  to  sit  on — not  a  dish  to  eat 
from  !  Is  there  a  prison  in  the  nation,  or  a  dungeon  in  a 
prison,  which  has  not  been  a  witness  of  our  groaning  ? 
Have  we  not  been  tried  by  banishment,  and  proved  by 
death  itself  ?  Death  in  New  England,  by  the  hand  of  the 
hangman !  death  in  Old  England  by  the  rougli  hand  of 
rude  and  boisterous  officers  and  soldiers,  who  have  given 
divers  of  our  friends  those  blows  which  in  a  few  days 
have  brought  them  to  their  graves  ! 

T  might  add  to  these,  burning  in  the  forehead,  cut- 
ting oif  ears,  unmerciful  beatings,  whippings,  and  cruel 
scourgings.  But  did  any  or  all  of  these  deter  us  from 
the  worship  of  God ?  Nay !  hath  not  our  cheerfully 
undergoing  all  these  hardships  sufficiently  evinced  to 
the  world  that  our  religion  and  consciences  are  dearer 
to  us  than  our  estates,  our  liberties,  our  limbs,  or  our 
lives  ?  Why,  then,  will  you  repeat  severities  upon  us, 
which  have  so  often  been  tried  before  in  vain  ?  Can  you 
take  pleasure  in  putting  others  to  pain,  and  delight  your- 
selves in  afflicting  others  ?     *     *     * 

Think  not  the  worse  of  us  for  our  faithfulness  to 
our  God  !  He  that  is  true  to  God  will  be  true  to  man 
also ;  but  he  that  is  folse  and  treacherous  to  God,  how 
is  it  likely  he  should  be  true  to  man? — Thomcts EUwood, 
1683. 


i'hikd  Month  80.] 


DAILY    liKADINGS.  89 


"  In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him,  and  he  shall  direct  Ihy  paths.'"— Proverbs 
iii.  6. 

I  ENTERED  into  an  agreement  with  a  man  in  the 
borough  to  instruct  me  in  shoe-making  ;  for  whicli 
I  was  to  give  him  more  than  half*  of  my  small  savings. 
Yet  I  trusted  if  I  kept  close  to  my  good  Guide  in  my 
future  stepj^ings,  he  would  so  direct  me  that  time  would 
evince  to  my  friends  that  I  had  not  been  deceived  in  the 
step  I  had  taken.  The  billows  at  times  would  rise  very 
high  one  after  another;  yet  to  my  humbling  admiration, 
I  bad  to  acknowledge  to  the  praise  of  that  great  Power, 
which  I  believe  had  led  me  into  this  tribulated  path,  that 
they  all  passed  over  me.  My  little  surplus  of  money 
wasted  fast,  and  my  earnings  were  very  small,  not  allow- 
ing me,  for  the  first  year,  more  than  bread,  cheese  and 
water,  and  sometimes  bread  only,  to  keep  clear  of  debt, 
which  I  carefully  avoided.  Setting  constantly  on  my 
seat  at  work  w^as  hard  for  me  ;  so  I  might  say,  I  worked 
hard  and  fared  hard.  In  a  while  it  appeared  better  I 
should  free  myself  from  my  instructor,  and  begin  as  a 
master  for  myself,  having  offers  of  plenty  of  employ- 
ment. 

After  I  had  settled  in  my  new  situation  a  few^  months, 
my  health  began  to  decline.  My  debility  so  increased 
that  the  doctors  advised  my  leaving  London  altogether ; 
the  thoughts  of  doing  which,  and  having  new^  connections 
to  seek,  was  a  fresh  trial  of  my  faith.  I  turned  my 
attention  to  Tottenham,  where  there  w'as  a  large  body  of 
Friends. — Thomas  /^A«7^i^oe,  Tottenham,  England,  1781. 


00  DAILY    EEADINGS. 


[Thikd  Month  31. 


"  There  is  that  ecattereth,  and  yet  increaseth;  and  there  is  that  withholdeth 
more  than  is  meet,  but  it  tendeth  to  poverty."— Prov.  xi.  24. 

MARY  HAGGER  was  again  and  again  permitted 
to  feel  the  influence  of  the  Divine  Spiiit  con- 
straining Jier  to  testify  to  others  of  the  Lord's  goodness ; 
yet,  many  were  lier  discouragements,  and  frequent  work 
was  made  for  fresh  repentance,  in  the  withholding  more 
than  was  meet ;  retracing  her  steps  required  more  faith 
than  a  simple  acting  at  first  had  done. 

She  thus  expresses  herself  in  after  life,  in  revert- 
ing to  this  time  of  trial :  "  I  have  abundant  cause  to  ad- 
mire and  reverence  the  Great  Name,  that  his  preserving 
arm  has  been  round  about  me,  and  his  tender  mercies 
are  lengthening  out  still.  When  I  have  been  mourning 
over  my  infirmities,  I  have  fully  believed,  that  had  I  been 
more  resigned,  the  grand  enemy  could  not  have  caused 
so  long  a  wilderness  travel ;  but  He  knows  I  am  one  of  a 
sad  heart,  and  very  apt  to  take  discouragement.  Were 
it  not  for  the  sweet  feelings  of  peace  mercifully  granted, 
when  ability  is  aiforded  to  give  up  requirings  of  duty, 
as  I  apprehend,  my  little  faith,  like  poor  Peter's,  would 
fail,  and  I  should  sink  under  the  weight  of  my  frequent 
unwatchfulness  and  want  of  more  finn  resolution." 

In  reviving  these  circumstances  to  her  intimate  friends, 
Mary  Hagger  would  speak  of  them  with  tears  of  grati- 
tude to  him  who  had  delivered  her  out  of  all  her  afflic- 
tions.— Memoranda  of  Mary  Hagger^  by  W,  and  T, 
Evans,  1843. 


Fourth  Month  1.]  DAILY   READINGS.  91 

"  Who  then  is  a  faithful  and  wise  servant,  whom  his  lord  hath  made  ruler  over 
hi:i  household,  to  give  them  meat  in  due  season  ?  Blessed  is  that  servant, 
whom  his  lord  when  he  cometh  shall  find  ho  doing."— Matt.  xxiv.  45,  46. 

I  BELIEVE  if  young  persons  were  more  fully  open, 
and  implicitly  given  up  to  acts  of  dedication  appa- 
rently small,  and  were  willing  to  go,  to  stay,  to  do,  or 
to  forbear  in  minor  matters,  as  seems  best,  that  they 
would  thrive  more  vigorously  in  religious  stature  and 
strength.  One  thing  after  another  came  gradually  be- 
fore the  view  of  my  mind ;  all  that  I  had  to  do,  or  be- 
lieve was  required  at  my  hands,  came  not  upon  me 
at  once  ;  for  there  was  no  hard  task-master  to  obey,  but 
one  who  knew  my  weakness,  and  my  inability  to  give 
up  even  to  the  least  matter  of  duty,  without  His  special 
aid.  As  I  was  concerned  to  keep  my  eyes  open,  to  see 
whatever  He  miglit  shew  me  was  to  be  given  up  to, — 
and  to  my  desire  from  day  to  day  unto  him,  and  the  ac- 
complishment of  His  will  respecting  me, — first  one  thing, 
then  another,  at  seasons  open  before  me  with  sufficient 
clearness:  sometimes  these  apprehended  duties  were 
very  little  matters;  at  other  times  they  were  of  fearfully 
great  importance  ;  and  often  were  they  of  a  nature  and 
complexion,  which  the  worldly-wise  part  in  myself  and 
v.\  others  could  not  bear  or  understand.  Yet  after  hav- 
ing gone  through  and  been  favored  to  stand  faithful  in 
the  performance  of  these  things,  I  have  often  seen  the 
propriety  of  them ;  and  I  have  felt  it  a  precious  thing  to 
be  "  led  about  and  instructed  "  so  suitably,  so  seasona- 
bly, so  safely. — John  Barclay^  1818. 


92  1)AILY    IlKADINGS.  [FocMu  Month  2. 

"  For  that  which  is  hi^jhly  esteemed  among   men,  is  an  abomination  in  the 
sight  of  GocL"— Luke  xvi.  15. 

SIR  WIVL  PENN  is  remembered  chiefly  as  the  father 
of  the  Quaker  legislator,  and  holds  from  that 
connection  a  larger  place  in  the  view  of  posterity  than 
from  any  other  cause. 

While  the  name  of  th^  father  is  merged  in  the  count- 
less mass  of  military  characters  who  are  seldom  men- 
tioned or  thought  of,  the  name  of  the  son  stands  con- 
spicuous among  the  greatest  benefactors  of  our  race. 
The  history  of  the  province  which  bears  his  name  proves 
conclusively  the  superiority  of  the  gospel  plan  above  the 
policy  of  the  world.  He  had  had  the  honor  of  proving 
that  the  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife  of  the  savage  may 
be  stripped  of  their  terrors  by  the  lenient  spirit  of  the 
gospel.  Wliich  would  the  most  eager  aspirants  after 
fame  prefer,  if  they  could  command  it  with  a  wish  :  to  be 
Admiral  Penn,  with  the  scanty  rays  of  military  renown 
that  now  surround  his  memory,  or  to  be  William 
Penn,  the  Quaker  founder  of  Pennsylvania  •  *  *  * 
whose  name  is  transftiitted  with  reverence  from  genera- 
tion to  generation  amongst  the  untutored  inhabitants  of 
the  wilderness ;  whose  character  is  most  admired  where 
it  is  best  understood;  and  who,  when  the  day  arrives,  "  in 
which  nation  shall  no  longer  lift  up  sword  against  na- 
tion," will  be  remembered  as  one  who  gave  the  influence 
of  eminent  abilities  and  a  conspicuous  station,  to  pro- 
mote the  advancement  of  the  Messiah's  peaceful  reign. — 
Enoch  Leicis,  Philadelphia,  1852. 


ForuTH  Month  3.]  T)AILY   REAT>INGS.  93 

*'  And  I  gave  my  heart  to  know  wisdom,  and  to  know  madnc-s  and  folly :  I 
perceived  that  this  also  is  vexation  of  the  spirit."— Eccl.  i,  17. 

I  THEN  had  my  conversation  much  among  people  of 
no  religion,  being  ashamed  to  be  counted  religious, 
or  do  anything  that  was  called  religious.  In  this  restless 
state  I  let  in  every  sort  of  notion  that  rose  in  that  day, 
and  for  a  time  applied  myself  to  examine  them,  and  get 
out  of  them  whatever  good  could  be  found;  but  still  sor- 
row and  trouble  was  the  end  of  all.  I  was  at  length 
ready  to  conclude  that  though  the  Lord  and  His  truth 
were  certain,  yet  they  are  not  now  made  known  to  any 
upon  earth  ;  and  I  determined  no  more  to  inquire  or 
look  after  God. 

So  for  some  time  I  took  no  notice  of  any  religion,  but 
minded  recreation,  as  it  is  called  ;  and  went  after  it  into 
many  excesses  and  vanities — as  foolish  mirth,  carding, 
dancing,  and  singing.  I  frequented  music  assemblies, 
and  made  vain  visits  whei'e  there  were  jovial  feastings. 
But  in  the  midst  of  al>this  my  heart  was  often  sad  and 
pained  beyond  expression.  I  was  not  hurried  into  those 
follies  by  being  captivated  by  them,  but  fi'om  not  hav- 
ing found  in  religion  what  T  had  sought  and  longed  after. 
T  would  often  say  within  myself,  what  are  they  all  to  me  ? 
T  could  easily  leave  all  this  ;  for  it  hath  not  my  heart, 
it  is  not  my  delight,  it  hath  not  power  over  me.  I  had 
rather  serve  the  Lord,  if  I  could  indeed  feel  and  know 
that  which  would  be  acceptable  to  Him. 

O  Lord  suifer  me  no  more  to  fall  in  with  any  false 
way,  but  show  me  the  Truth. — Mary  Springett^  1650. 


94  DAILY    READINGS 


[Fourth  Month  4. 


"And  seekest  thoa  great  things  for  thyself?  seek  them  nanifht."— Jer.  xiv.  5. 

BEFORE  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  William 
Penn  had  been  sent  to  the  Continent  by  his  father, 
Admiral  Penn,  for  the  purpose  not  only  of  ordinary  travel, 
but  especially  to  have  spread  before  him  the  allurements 
of  a  gay  courtly  life,  in  their  most  fascinating  forms.  By 
this  means  the  father  hoped  to  supplant  and  drive  away 
the  serious  impressions  his  mind  had  received  when  an 
Oxford  student,  from  the  Quaker  preaching  of  Thomas 
Loe. 

William  Penn  was  expelled  from  the  University  for 
refusing  to  wear  the  college  cap  and  gown ;  for  discuss- 
ing among  his  fellow  students  the  wickedness  and 
absurdity  of  religious  persecution ;  and,  more  especially, 
for  asserting  the  scriptural  truth  of  Quaker  doctrines. 
No  gentle  measiires  awaited  his  return  home  after  his  ex- 
pulsioil.  But  it  was  in  vain  that  the  stern,  authoritative 
admiral  insisted  on  the  abandonment  of  every  new  religi- 
ous idea  the  son  had  taken  up. 

Personal  flagellation  and  solitary  confinement  followed, 
till  the  father  became  aware  that  the  religious  convictions 
even  of  a  youth  of  sixteen  or  seventeen  were  not  so  to 
be  overcome.  At  length,  when  severity  failed,  conthien- 
tal  travel  was  resolved  on,  and  no  arrangements  were 
spared  that  could  render  it  attractive.  William  Penn 
went  abroad  under  the  highest  auspices,  and  with  the 
companionship  his  father  entirely  approved  o£ — Penns 
and  Peningtons, 


Fourth  Month  5.] 


DAILY    KEA.DINGS.  95 


"  Take  as  the  foxes,  the  little  foxes  that  spoil  the  vines,  for  our  vines  have 
tender  grapes." — Solomon's  Songs  ii.  15. 

IN  little  more  than  two  years,  Wm,  Penn  returned 
without  any  visible  remains  of  the  Quaker  predi- 
lections of  his  Oxford  life.  He  had  acquired  the  air  and 
bearing  of  a  noble  young  cavalier,  and, withal,  manifested 
such  powers  of  thought  and  conversation,  ability  in 
speaking  of  what  he  had  observed  abroad,  that  his  father 
and  mother  were  delighted. 

It  was  evident  he  had  just  seen  enough  of  courtly  life 
to  be  transiently  dazzled  by  its  exterior  graces,  without 
having  been  tainted  by  its  vices.  A  considerable  portion 
of  those  two  years  had  been  spent  in  perfecting  his  theo- 
logical studies  in  France,  under  the  guidance  of  Moses 
Amyrault,  a  learned  professor  of  divinity  of  the  Re- 
formed French  Church. 

And  now  that  he  had  returned  home,  the  admiral,  con- 
scious that  his  active  mind  must  have  real  occupation, 
proposed  that  he  should  be  entered  as  a  student  of  law  at 
Lincoln's  Inn.  Thus,  too,  he  hoped  to  perfect  the  edu- 
cation of  the  son  whom  he  expected  to  succeed  him  in 
the  peerage,  which  was  already  awaiting  his  acceptance 
under  the  title  of  Lord  Weymouth. 

His  father  marked  the  serious  thoughtfulness  of  his 
manner,  and  his  manifest  desire  to  withdraw  from  fash- 
ionable life.  In  remembrance  of  the  past,  he  became 
alarmed,  and  forthwith  resolved  to  send  his  son  on  a  visit 
to  his  friend,  the  Duke  of  Ormond,  then  Lord  Deputy 
in  Ireland. — Pemis  and  Peningtons. 


96  DAILY    READINGS. 


[FornTH  MoxTH  d. 


"  To  him  that  overcometh  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the  hidden  manna,  and  wili 
give  him  a  white  stone,  and  in  the  stone  a  new  name."— Rev.  ii.  17. 

BUT  an  important  crisis  was  now  at  hand,  which 
changed  the  whole  current  of  his  *  life.  Another 
and  very  different  course  of  discipline  was  ere  long  as- 
signed him  by  the  Lord  of  all,  preparing  his  heart  and  his 
hands  to  war  in  the  cause  of  God  and  His  righteousness. 

Whilst  Admiral  Penn  in  England  was  pluming  himself 
on  the  triumphs  of  his  worldly  prudence,  his  son,  on  oc- 
casion of  one  of  his  frequent  visits  to  Cork,  heard  by  ac- 
cident that  Thomas  Loe,  his  old  Oxford  acquaintance,  was 
in  the  city,  and  "  intended  to  preach  that  night."  He 
thought  of  his  boyish  enthusiasm  when  at  college,  and 
wondered  how  the  preacher's  eloquence  would  stand  the 
censures  of  his  riper  judgment.  Curiosity  prompted  him 
to  stay  and  listen.  The  fervid  orator  took  for  his  text, 
the  passage,  "  There  is  a  faith  that  overcomes  the  world, 
and  there  is  a  faith  that  is  overcome  by  the  world."  Pos- 
sessed of  strong  religious  feeling,  but  at  the  same  time 
docile  and  affectionate,  he  had  hitherto  oscillated  between 
two  duties ;  duty  to  God,  and  duty  to  his  father.  *  *  * 

On  the  other,  there  were  only  the  low  whisperings 
in  his  own  heart.  But  that  still  voice  would  not  be  si- 
lenced.  Often  as  he  had  escaped  from  thought  into 
business  or  gay  life,  the  moment  of  repose  brought  back 
the  old  memories.  From  that  night  he  was  a  Quaker  in 
heart. — Penns  and  Peningtons. 


Fourth  Month  T] 


DAILY    READINGS.  07 


"  Thi  son  fe>all  not  bear  the  iniquity  of  the  father,  neithtir  shall  the  father 
bear  the  iniquitj  of  the  son  ;  the  righteousness  of  the  righteous  shall  be  upon 
him."— Ezekiel  xviii.  20. 

WM.  PENN'S  father,  actuated  by  natural  love,  aim- 
ing at  liis  son's  temporal  honor;  he  guided  by  a 
limine  impulse,  having  chiefly  in  view  the  truth  of  God 
;i:Hi  his  own  eternal  welfare.  His  father  grieved  to  see 
tlie  well-accomplished  son  of  his  hopes,  now  ripe  for 
worldly  promotion,  voluntarily  turning  his  back  on  it ;  he 
no  less  afflicted  to  think  that  a  compliance  with  his  earthly 
father's  pleasure  was  inconsistent  with  obedience  to  His 
Heavenly  Fatlier. 

The  earthly  parent  pressing  conformity  to  the  fashions 
and  customs  of  the  times,  earnestly  entreating  and  be- 
seeching him  to  yield  to  this  desire ;  the  son,  of  a  loving 
and  tender  disposition,  in  an  extreme  agony  of  spirit  to 
behold  his  father's  trouble,  modestly  crsiving  leave  to 
refrain  from  what  would  hurt  his  conscience;  and,  when 
not  granted,  solemnly  declaring  that  he  could  not  yield  ; 
Ids  father  thereon  threatening  to  disherit  him  ;  he  humbly 
resigning  all  things  of  that  sort  to  his  father's  will,  who, 
perceiving  that  neither  entreaty  nor  threats  prevailed, 
turned  his  back  on  him  in  anger;  and  the  son  lifted  uj) 
his  heart  to  God  for  strength  to  sustain  him  in  that  time 
of  bitter  trial. 

When  all  the  admiral's  endeavors  proved  ineflbctual 
to  shake  William's  resolutions,  the  disconcerted  father, 
unable  any  longer  to  endure  him  in  his  sight,  fairly  turned 
him  out  of  doors. — TAfe  of  Win.  Penn,  1665. 


98  DAILY    liEADIlSGS. 


[FouKTu  Month  S. 


"  Jesus  answered,  My  kinjrdom  is  not  of  this  world :  if  my  kingdom  were  of 
this  world,  then  would  my  servants  fight."— John  xviii.  36. 

rriHE  declarations  of  Jesus  Christ  evidently  show  that, 
_J_  though  he  came  to  set  up  a  kingdom  on  earth,  yet 
it  was  to  be  of  a  nature  and  in  a  manner  totally  different 
f.-om  those  of  the  kingdoms  of  this  world.  His  precepts 
and  example  prove  tliat  love  to  God  and  love  to  man  were 
the  first  laws  of  his  dominion,  that  it  was  not  to  be  upheld 
by  violence  or  deceit,  but  that  his  subjects  were  to  be 
.  those  who  listened  and  were  obedient  to  the  truth. 

The  prophet  Daniel  foretold  it  in  these  remarkable 
terms  : — "  Forasmuch  as  thou  sawest  that  the  stone  was 
cut  out  of  the  mountain  without  hands  ;  and  that  it  brake 
in  pieces  the  iron,  the  brass,  the  clay,  the  silver,  and  the 
gold :  in  the  days  of  these  kings  shall  the  God  of  heaven 
set  up  a  kingdom  which  shall  never  be  destroyed ;  and 
the  kingdom  shall  not  be  left  to  other  people,  for  it  shall 
break  in  jjieces  and  consume  all  these  kingdoms,  and  it 
shall  stand  for  ever." 

Christ  declared,  "  The  kingdom  of  God  cometh  not 
w^ith  observation  ;  neither  shall  they  say,  lo  here,  or  lo 
there  ;  for,  behold,  the  kingdom  of  God  is  within  you." 
His  Holy  Spirit,  which  bears  ride  there,  is  not  of  an  out- 
ward or  tangible  nature,  but  influences  and  governs  tlie 
minds,  consciences,  and  souls  of  men.  "  And  when  Jesus 
perceived  that  they  would  come,  and  take  him  by  force, 
to  make  him  a  king,  he  departed  into  a  mountain  alone." 
^John  Allen,  England,  1853. 


FouKtH  Month  9  ]  DAILY  READINGS.  99 

"  Go  aucl  loose  the  sackcloth  from  thy  loins,  and  put  off  thy  shoe  from  thy 
foot.    And  he  did  so,  walkinjj  naked  and  barefoot." — Isa.  xx.  2 

THEREFORE  was  I  commanded  of  the  Lord  to 
pass  through  your  streets  covered  with  sackcloth 
and  ashes,  calling  you  to  repentance,  that  ye  might  yet 
be  more  awakened,  and  alarmed  to  take  notice  of  the 
Lord's  voice  calling  unto  you  ;  and  not  to  despise  these 
things  which  belong  to  your  peace,  whilst  your  day  last- 
eth,  lest  hereafter  they  be  hid  from  your  eyes.  And  the 
command  of  the  Lord  concerning  this  thing  came  unto 
me  that  very  morning  as  I  awakened,  and  the  burden 
thereof  was  very  great ;  yea,  seemed  almost  insupportable 
unto  me  ( for  such  a  thing  until  that  very  moment  had 
never  entered  me  before,  not  in  the  most  remote  considei*a 
tion.)  And  some  whom  I  called,  to  declare  to  them  this 
thing,  can  bear  witness  how  great  was  the  agony  of  my 
spirit;  how  I  besought  the  Lord  with  teai-s  that  this 
cup  might  pass  away  from  me ;  yea,  how  the  pillars  ot 
my  tabernacle  were  shaken,  and  how  exceedingly  my 
bones  trembled,  until  I  freely  gave  up  to  the  Lord's  will. 
And  this  was  the  end  and  tendency  of  my  testimony,  to 
call  you  to  repentance,  by  this  signal  and  singular  step ; 
which  I,  as  to  my  own  will  and  inclination,  was  unwill- 
ing to  be  found  in,  as  the  worst  and  wickedest  of 
you  can  be  averse  from  receiving  or  laying  it  to  heart. 
Let  all  and  every  one  of  you,  in  whom  there  is  yet  alive 
the  least  regard  to  God,  or  his  fear,  consider  and  weigh 
this  matter  in  the  presence  of  God,  and  by  the  spirit  of 
Jesus  Christ  in  your  hearts. — Robert  Barclay. 


100  DAILY   EEADIXG3.  [ForBxn  Moxth  10. 

"  I  will  therefore  that  men  pray  everywhere,  lifting  up  holy  hands,  without 
wrath  and  doubting."—!  Tim.  ii.  8. 

O  FATHER  of  all  creatures,  Author  and  Creator  of 
all  good,  condescend,  I  beseech  thee,  m  thy  never- 
failing  mercy,  to  instruct  us,  who  are  the  workmanship  of 
thy  hands,  how  we  shall  come  before  thy  throne  with  an 
acceptable  sacrifice. 

Whilst  in  this  world  of  doubt  and  perplexity,  wander- 
ing in  the  mazes  of  error,  and  bewildered  in  the  paths  of 
ancertainty,  do  Thou,  O  God,  enlighten  our  understand- 
ings, and  make  us  perfect  in  that  knowledge  which 
maketh  wise  unto  salvation.  Suffer  not  our  minds  to  be 
cast  down  with  finding  our  incapacity  of  clearly  discov- 
ering those  things  which  thou  hast  placed  beyond  our 
reach;  but  grant,  O  Father  of  Mercies,  that  we  may  rest 
satisfied  with  those  capacities  w^hich  thou  hast  given  us ; 
and  be  content  to  walk  in  humility  and  fear  before  thee, 
waiting  for  the  glorious  ap}>earance  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  when  that  veil  which  now  obscures 
our  sight  shall  be  drawn  aside,  and  we  shall  see  things 
clearly,  as  face  to  face.  Suffer  not  our  minds  to  be 
puffed  up  with  the  vanity  of  fruitless  inquiries  into  things 
beyond  our  depth,  but  rather  let  us  endeavor  to  acquire 
meekness  and  humility  of  heart,  the  most  truly  valuable 
accomplishments;  that  through  the  assistance  of  thy 
holy  Spirit  we  may  shine  as  lights  in  the  world,  and  live  to 
the  praise  and  glory  of  thy  name,  desiring  that  our  spirits 
may  be  bowed  before  thee  in  reverence,  and  in  thanksgiv- 
ing for  thy  mercies. — Margaret  Woods,  1772,  aged  24. 


FotniTH  Month  11]  DAILY   BEADmGS.  101 

"  The  days  of  our  years  are  threescore  years  and  ten;  and  if  by  reason  oi 
strength  they  be  fourscore  ycai-s,  yet  is  their  strength  labor  aud  sorrow  ;  for  it 
is  soon  cut  off,  aud  wo  fly  away."— Psalm  xc.  10. 

I  OFTEN  struggle  for  resignation,  and  a  more  com- 
plete acquiescence  to  the  Divine  will.  1  can  say, 
with  the  Apostle  Paul,  "I  keep  under  my  body,  niid 
bring  it  into  subjection ; "  but  I  do  not  feel  capable  of 
exerting  the  same  influence  over  my  mind.  I  believe  this 
can  only  be  effected  by  the  operation  of  that  Power  who 
can  "  subdue  all  things  unto  himself,"  He  watches  over 
all  the  workmanship  of  his  hands,  and  his  providence  is 
continually  hovering  over  us  for  good.  His  power  is  the 
same  over  the  perturbations  of  the  soul  as  over  the  bois- 
terous elements,  and  he  can  diffuse  a  calm  over  the  mind 
as  easily  as  over  the  tempestuous  ocean.  The  prayer  of 
faith  will  ascend  to  Ilim :  he  will  pluck  our  feet  out  of 
the  miry  clay,  and  set  them  upon  a  rock  whose  founda- 
tions are  fixed,  and  will  stand  firm  against  tlie  i-ain,  the 
floods,  and  the  wind.  I  think  we  shall  do  well  not  to 
perplex  ourselves  with  contemplating  the  various  evils 
of  life,  or  the  mystery  of  iniquity.  Secret  things  belong 
unto  God,  and  he  only  can  reveal  them  according  to  his 
good  pleasure.  Our  concern  is  with  those  that  are  re- 
vealed ;  and  we  may  trust  that  we  shall  be  sufiiciently 
enlightened  to  pursue  the  right  way.  Submission  to  tin- 
Divine  Avill  in  all  things  is  our  duty,  and  will  prove  the 
.source  of  our  greatest  happiness  ;  for  when  our  will  re- 
>^olts  against  the  Divine  will,  nothing  but  misery  can 
ensue. — Margaret  Woods,  1819,  aged  70. 


102  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Fourth  Mokth  t2. 


"  There  is  a  spirit  in  man,  and  the  inspimtiou  of  the  Almighty  giveth  them 
understanding."— Job  xxxii.  8. 

nV  ~]^0W  I  say.  this  inspiration  ought  to  be  rightly  un- 
_i_i  dei-stood  and  believed  in  ;  from  ray  own  ex^x^ri- 
ence,  I  imderetand  it  to  be  an  inbreathing  of  the  divine 
word  into  our  minds,  giving  a  true  understanding  of  di- 
vine things,  that  we  may  make  choice  of,  and  walk  in  the 
paths  of  wisdom,  which  is  the  just  man's  path :  I  say, 
the  inbreathing  of  this  -word,  which  is  truth,  life,  and  the 
light  of  men  ;  that  spirit  which  "  searcheth  all  things, 
yea,  the  deep  things  of  God,"  which  by  Jesus  Christ  is 
made  manifest  imto  all  men ;  I  say,  this  inspiration  ought 
to  be  waited  for  in  all  our  religious  assemblies  especially, 
and  believed  in,  as  being  the  foundation  and  spring  of 
all  right  ministry,  devotion,  and  woi*ship  of  the  true  God ; 
yea,  I  always  find  this  from  my  own  experience  to  be 
most  edifying,  thus  to  wait  for  this  divine  inspiration ; 
and  when  I  find  my  understanding,  and  influenced  by  this 
blessed  gift  to  minister  to  others,  I  give  up  thereto, 
speaking  to  the  assembly  according  to  the  present  abili- 
ty I  receive  thereby ;  and  I  know  this  to  be  true  begin- 
ning of  a  right  gospel  ministry,  which  I  shall  speak  to 
more  at  large  in  its  proper  place. — Samuel  JSoionas. 

Every  good  gift  and  every  perfect  gift  is  from  above.— James  i.  17. 

Though  we  had  all  tongues,  all  knowledge,  and  even  gifts  of  propliecy,  and 
were  preachers  to  others,  aye,  and  had  zeal  enough  to  give  our  bodies  to  be 
burned;  yet,  if  we  wanted  charity,  it  would  not  avail  us  for  salvation.— Wm. 
Penw. 


FotTRTH  MOKTH  13.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  103 


"  He  said  unto  them,  Qo  ye  also  into  the  vineyard,  and  whatsoever  is  right, 
that  shall  ye  receive."— Matt.  xx.  7 

IOFTEN^  look  round  me,  and  often  consider  if  I  have 
anything  to  do  ;  I  am  willing  to  spend  or  to  be 
spent,  but  afraid  and  unwilling  to  engage  where  T  ani 
not  employed.  Those  who  staid  latest,  but  could  gi\e 
as  a  reason,  "  because  no  one  has  liired  us,"  were  em- 
ployed, wlien  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  bade  them  go, 
and  receive  their  penny  when  the  even  was  come.  If 
in  some  instances  I  have  not  been  altogether  idle  ;  if  at 
present  I  appear  so  to  others,  and  do  indeed  stand  still,  I 
can  truly  say,  I  am  not  hired ;  and  I  hope  as  truly,  that 
I  desire  to  be  as  ready,  under  the  same  qualifications,  as 
he  who  said,  "  Here  am  I,  send  me."     *     *     -fi 

I  do  not  envy  others  ;  I  am  glad  of  it.  I  heartily  bid 
them  Godspeed,  and  rejoice  in  the  success  of  their  labors. 
I  wish  to  be  like  them,  and  am  willing,  nay,  rather  desir- 
ous, to  be  employed  with  them  ;  further  I  dare  not  go ; 
and  finding  myself  still  so  poor,  so  barren  and  so  deso- 
late, I  ask  myself  is  there  not  a  cause  ?  My  unworthiness 
presents  itself;  but,  if  I  was  not  afraid  that  my  heart 
retained  some  secret  impediment,  unknown  to  myself,  1 
should  adopt  the  language  of  Peter,  and  say ;  "  Lord,  thou 
knowest  all  things :  thou  knowest  that  I  love  thee,"  and 
the  consciousness  that  I  do  love  him  above  all  things,  T  do 
desire  to  do  so,  is  my  only  support  under  that  withdi-aw  - 
ing  of  light  and  sense  of  Divine  requirings  which  I  so 
frequently  examine. — Richard  Meynolds,  1788. 


104  DAILY    READINGS.  [Foubtu  Month  14. 

"And  the  multitude  of  them  believed,  were  of  oue  heart  and  soul."— Acts* 
iv.  32. 

BEING  joined  to  the  said  people,  in  derision  called 
Quakers,  and  by  the  grace  of  God  resolved  to 
continue  and  persevere  in  their  communion,  and  to  vvai: 
upon  God  in  his  light,  wherewith  he  had  enlightened  in y 
understanding  in  a  good  measure,  I  had  great  satisfac- 
tion therein,  being  sensible  that  our  society  and  converse 
with  one  another,  as  we  had  received  the  love  of  the 
truth,  was  helpful  and  encouraging  to  us,  and  tended  to 
edification  and  comfort.  I  greatly  loved  and  delighted 
in  the  free  conversation  and  fellowship  of  sober,  faithful 
Friends.  When  I  was  a  school-boy  at  the  free  school  at  Blen- 
coe,  in  Cumberland,  I  loved  retirement  with  some  other  so- 
ber, studious  scholars,  though  but  mean  and  poor  in  the 
world,  rather  than  the  company  of  the  loose,  extrava- 
gant boys,  though  of  the  gentry,  or  richer  sort,  who  were 
given  to  much  play  and  gaining.  In  that  company  of 
which  I  was  most  fond,  we  were  tlie  most  profitable  one 
to  another  in  our  learning,  and  communicating  the  effects 
of  our  studies  to  each  other;  and  much  more  in  a  spiritu- 
al and  higher  sense,  when  we  were  in  some  degree  come 
to  know  the  blessed  truth,  in  the  light  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Our  Christian  society,  and  our  communications 
therein  of  our  inward  experiences,  did  all  redound  to  our 
mutual  help  and  edification  in  the  love  of  the  truth  as  it 
is  in  Christ. —  George  Whitehead,  1654. 

Only  trust  tliyf=cir,  and  another  shall  not  betray  thcc.— Wm.  Pknn. 


PouRTU  Month  15.]  DAILY    READINGS.  105 

'•  Bless  d  are  tliey  who  Buffer  persecutiou  for  righteousness  sake  ;  for  theiru 
Iri  the  kingdom  of  heaven."— Matt.  v.  10. 

PERSECUTIO]N^  may  be  considered  in  relation  to 
calumny  and  reproach,  and  in  imprisonments,  con- 
finements, or  the  like,  or  taking  away  life  or  goods  on  a 
religious  account,  for  conscientious  scruples,  etc.  What 
sad  work  hath  there  been  on  this  account  in  the  world, 
not  among  Turks  and  Jews  only,  but  among  professors 
of  Christianity,  which  is  indeed  a  great  reproach  to  that 
holy  name.  Persecution  for  righteousness  sake  is  not  fit 
for  Turks  or  Jews,  much  less  for  the  professors  of  our 
meek  Lord ;  his  dispensation  and  gospel  being  absolutely 
the  reverse  of  it,  which  is  a  sliameful  sin  to  all  men,  in 
all  nations.  However  the  persecuted  have  this  comfort 
in  the  midst  of  all  their  sufferings,  they  are  blessed  of 
Christ  theii*  Lord ;  who  himself  suffered  for  them,  and 
they  are  promised  by  him  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  By 
which  doctrine  it  may  be  safely  concluded,  that  the  mem- 
bers of  his  true  church  never  persecuted  any,  though 
they  have  been  often  persecuted ;  but  the  eyes  of  many 
are  now  open  to  see  the  evil  of  it,  and  a  spirit  of  mod- 
eration begins  to  grow  and  spring  in  divers  parts  of  the 
earth. 

It  is  to  be  desired  that  the  moderation  of  Christians 
might  more  and  more  increase,  and  appear  to  all  men  ; 
because  God  is  at  hand,  who  will  justify  the  innocent, 
whom  he  knows  better  than  any  man,  because  he  sees 
their  hearts,  and  he  will  condemn  none  but  the  wicked. — 
Thomas  Chalkly. 


106  -DATLY   RKADTX{iR. 


[FovRTii  Month  Vi. 


"  The  secret  things  belong  nnto  the  Lord  our  God;  but  those  thing?  which 
are  revealed  belong  unto  us  and  to  our  children  for  ever,  that  we  may  do  all  the 
words  of  thislaw."— Deut.  xxix.  20. 


IT  sometimes  seems  marvelous,  in  my  view,  that  our 
natural  life  is  lengthened  for  weeks,  months,  and  it 
may  be  years,  after  being  brought  as  it  were  to  the 
brink  of  the  grave,  looking  for  the  salvation  of  the  soul, 
through  the  redeeming  love  and  power  of  the  Saviour, 
who  was  crucified  for  sinners.  No  other  name  do  we 
own,  or  profess  to  believe,  can  save  ns.  This  I  consider 
as  the  unchangeable  foundation  of  genuine  Quakerism ; 
and  it  is  to  be  accompanied  by  a  consistency  of  conduct, 
not  to  be  controverted,  agreeably  to  the  Scriptural  doc- 
trine  and  precept  left  upon  record  of  the  High  Teacher, 
and  to  the  example  and  testimony  of  holy  men  of  old.  As 
far  as  my  si3iritual  understanding  has  been  enlightened, 
this  is  what  I  apprehend  to  be  Truth.  Secret  things  belong 
to  the  Lord.  My  belief  is,  that  sufficient  is  revealed  for  our 
instruction;  and  that,  while  persevering  in  faithful  obedi- 
ence, we  shall  find  that  lowly,  peaceful,  spiritual  poverty 
is  a  soul-satisfying  reward.  I  believe  it  is  safe  and  best  in 
the  present  times,  to  leave  judgment  unto  the  righteous 
Judge,  as  to  this  or  that ;  and  to  take  the  impressive 
counsel,  "  What  is  that  to  thee  ?  follow  thou  Me  !"  I  hope 
not  to  weary  thee,  dear  friend.  1  think  only  to  add,  that 
Christian  union,  love,  and  fellowship,  was  never  more  pre- 
cious, nor  more  binding  to  my  fellow-professors  in  the 
Society  to  which  I  have  been  conscientiously  united  for 
upwards  of  fifty  years. — Mary  Capper^  aged  82. 


FouKTH  Month  17.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  107 


"Let  them  alone  :  they  be  blincl  leaders  of  the  blind.  And  if  the  blind  lead 
the  blind,  both  shall  fall  into  the  ditch."— Matt.  xv.  14. 

EXCEPTING  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  North 
America  offered  an  asylum  for  the  persecuted 
of  every  class,  and  for  the  people  of  every  clime  ;  we  can- 
not therefore  wonder  that  its  unsectarian  soil  became  tlie 
resort  not  only  of  English,  but  Irish  and  Scotch,  and  also 
emigrants  from  almost  every  nation  in  Europe. 

In  studying  the  history  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  the 
observant  reader  cannot,  we  think,  fail  to  notice,  that  it 
was  only  in  countries  where  darkness  and  popery 
had  been  much  dispelled,  that  its  spiritual  and  enlight- 
ened views  found  steady  acceptance.  Although  our 
early  Friends  were  engaged  in  Gospel  labors  in  several 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  countries  of  Europe,  we  do 
not  find  that  they  were  successful  in  the  establish- 
ment of  a  single  meeting. 

The  Reformation,  therefore,  was  instrumental  in  pre- 
paring the  way  for  the  introduction  of  Quakerism  into 
Christendom.  But  enfranchised  as  most  of  the  settlers 
of  the  Avesterii  world  were,  from  the  shackles  of  popery, 
and  to  a  large  extent  from  prelacy  also,  and  consisting  as 
they  did  of  considerable  numbers  of  pious  individuals, 
who  had  been  driven  from  their  respective  countries  for 
the  cause  of  religion,  the  colonies  of  America  presented 
a  sphere  peculiarly  ada])ted  for  the  reception  of  those 
high  and  enlightened  vicAVS  of  Christianity  which  tjie 
Society  of  Friends  were  called  to  uphold  and  to  advocate 
among  their  fellow-men. — James  Bowden^  London,  1850. 


108  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Fourth  Month  18. 


"  Commit  thy  way  unto  the'  Lord  ;  trust  also  in  him  ;  and  he  sh-^ll  bring  it  to 
pass.  And  he  shall  bring  forth  thy  righteousness  a?  the  light,  and  thy  judg- 
ment as  the  noonday.'"— Psalm  xxxvii.  5,  6. 

"  And  the  Lord  shall  help  them  and  deliver  :  He  shall  deliver  them  from  the 
wicked,  and  save  them,  because  they  trust  in  Him."— Psalm  xxxvii.  40. 

MOST  fully  do  I  unite  with  thee  in  the  blessedness 
of  obedience  to  the  DiWne  will.  In  the 
Christian  life  we  see  there  is  such  a  variety  of  means  for 
the  attainment  of  the  same  great  end,  that  it  has  always 
appeared  to  me,  that  we  are  not  sufficient  of  ourselves 
to  choose  those  means  which  are  best  for  us,  and  that  the 
more  we  commit  our  way  unto  the  Lord,  the  more  we 
are  likely  to  prosper  in  that  spiritual  life  which  is  light 
and  peace ;  and  I  think  the  Scriptures  authorize  us  to 
believe  that  the  Light  or  Holy  Spirit  which  is  given  to 
every  man  to  profit  withal,  is  all-mifficicht  to  lead  us  in 
the  way  in  which  we  should  go ;  that  it  reproves  us  for 
every  evil  thought  and  word,  and  that  it  instructs  us  in 
our  duties ;  and  does  it  not  also  open  our  minds  to 
understand  the  important  doctrines  of  Cliiistianity  ? 
Surely  obedience,  which  is  so  enforced  by  Friends,  does  not 
lessen,  but  increases  our  faith  in  the  redeeming  power  of 
Christ.  At  those  times  when  we  the  most  endeavor  to 
,  do  right,  have  we  not  sufficient  proofs  of  our  great  in- 
firmity, and  of  the  corruptions  of  himian  nature,  to 
teach  us  that  of  ourselves  we  are  blind,  and  poor,  and 
miserable,  and  naked,  until  clothed  with  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ? — Priscilla  Gurney^  1812. 


FouHTu  Month  19.] 


DAILY    RKADIXGS.  109 


'  Not  elothfiil  In  business ;  fervent  in  spirit ;  serving  the  Lord."— Rora.  xii.  11. 

BUSINESS,  in  its  proper  sphere,  is  useful  and  benefi- 
cial, as  well  as  absolutely  necessary ;  but  the  abuse 
of  it,  or  an  excess  in  it,  is  pernicious  in  many  points  of 
view.  I  cannot  approve,  in  very  many  respects,  of  the 
intense  degree  of  application  and  attention  which  seems 
often  to  be  required  of  those  that  are  in  business. 

There  is  one  danger  to  which  the  man  of  business  is 
particularly  exposed,  and  the  more  alarming,  because  it 
is  concealed, — T  mean  the  danger  of  gaining  a  worldly 
spirit,  and  of  losing  that  tenderness  of  conscience,  that 
love  of  religion,  which  is  the  ground  of  all  virtuous  con- 
duct. The  person  who  is  engaged  in  worldly  affairs, 
whether  the  sphere  of  his  engagement  be  large  or  small, 
should  be  most  anxiously  attentive  to  his  eternal  inter- 
ests, that  they  also  may  be  kept  in  a  nourishing,  profita- 
ble condition :  if  this  be  not  the  case,  the  saying  of  W. 
Penn  is  true  in  regard  to  such  a  one — "  He  that  loses  by 
•retting,  had  better  lose  than  gain."  He  should  also  be 
very  jealous  of  his  scanty  leisure,  that  he  may  not  omit 
to  employ  some  of  it  in  his  daily  duties  to  his  Maker, 
and  to  the  constant  cultivation  of  that  holy  frame  of 
mind,  which  it  is  the  slow  though  sure  tendency  of  the 
spirit  of  the  world  silently  to  counteract.  For,  I  own,  I 
t leinble  at  the  very  idea  of  any  man's  mainly  pursuing 
liis  perishable  interests,  when  perhaps  in  one  short  mo- 
ment he  is  gone. — John  Barclay^  1815. 


110  DAILY   READINGS.  [Fourth  Month  20 

'•There  is  one  body,   and  one  Spirit,  even  as>  ye  are  called  in  one  hope  of 
your  calling. " — ^Eph.  iv.  4. 

LOOKING  toward  your  assemblies,  my  feelings  of  in- 
terest are  awakened  in  a  lively  manner,  not  only 
for  those  individuals  who  are  peculiarly  dear  to  myself, 
but  for  the  church  at  large.  It  is  my  earnest  desire  that 
you  may  be  richly  favored  wath  the  overshado wings  of 
him  w^ho  can  fill  your  hearts  and  minds  w^ith  the  abund- 
ant streams  of  his  consolation  ;  that  divine  blessings  may 
indeed  be  showered  down  upon  you,  to  your  mutual  com- 
fort, and  "  to  the  edifying  of  the  body  in  love."  My 
heart  is  with  all  that  labor  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and 
I  salute  them  in  the  language  of  the  apostle,  "  Peace  be 
to  the  brethren,  and  love  with  faith,  from  God  the  Fa- 
ther, and  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  It  is  cheering 
to  see  friends  under  diifercnr,  circumstances,  each  oc- 
cupying the  gifts  intrusted  to  them,  though  Aery  va- 
rious one  from  the  other.  Whilst  this  is  the  case,  wheth- 
er possessing  the  one,  or  the  five  talents,  individuals,  as 
well  as  the  church,  will  prosper,  and  our  adorable  Head 
will  be  glorified  by  his  own  works.  And  I  desire  that 
all  of  us,  who, exhort  others,  may  so  submit  to  the  effect- 
ual operation  of  the  fire  and  the  hammer,  as  to  hold  out 
the  invitation,  by  our  owm  example,  to  follow  us  as  we  fol- 
low Christ. — Jonathan  Backhouse. 

Thon  knowest,  O  Lord,  before  I  speak, 
How  poor  I  am,  how  halt,  how  weak, 
And  what  I  need,  and  what  I  seek. 

— Janb  Crbwdson. 


Fourth  Month  21.]  DAILY   EEADIXGS.  Ill 

"  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  Except  ye  b«  converted,  and  become  as  little  children, 
ye  shall  not  enter  tlie  kingdom  of  heaven."'  -Matthew  xviii.  3. 

THERE  is  a  striking  analogy  between  little  children 
by  nature,  and  those  who  are  born  from  above.  In 
tlie  infant  state  of  religion  the  child  of  God  cries  for 
something,  it  does  not  well  know  what ;  it  do.'s  not  desire 
to  know,  but  it  wants  to  be  fed  ;  its  growth  and  its 
strength  are  acquired  by  its  feeding,  not  by  its  increase 
of  understanding,  which  yet,  as  it  is  necessary  and  useful, 
arrives  in  its  season,  and  is  added  by  degrees.  And 
as  we  cannot  add  one  cubit  to  our  stature  as  natural 
men,  so  neither  by  taking  much  thought  can  we  add  to 
our  religious  growth :  this  is  the  work  of  God,  as  saitli 
the  Scriptures.  In  this  day  there  is  so  much  revolting 
from  the  genuine  spirit  of  Christianity,  and  the  few  ih.it 
are  sound  in  the  faith  and  alive  in  the  root  are  so  rejoiced 
at  the  prospect  of  any  of  the  visited  youth  coming  forward 
in  stability  and  service,  that  there  is  some  times  a  danger 
lest  such  youth  should  be  carried  off  their  feet,  and  pulled 
forward  into  action  beyond  their  proper  streni]:th,  and 
the  right  requirings  of  duty.  Only  let  us  be  inward 
and  diligent  in  our  spirits,  keeping  to  our  own  particular 
exercise,  and  attending  to  the  account  current  which  is 
between  the  great  Lord  of  the  household  and  our  own 
souls  respectively,  making  short  reckonings,  and  giving 
up  no  false  rest  till  Infinite  Mercy  forgives  the  debt  ;  so 
shall  we,  though  poor,  witness  content,  and  though  not 
abounding,  yet  have  a  little  sufficiency. — Richard  ^Shack- 
leton,  1783. 


112  DAILY    liEVmNGS. 


[ForETH  Month  22. 


"While  they  behold  your  chaste  conversation  coupled  with  fear."— 1  Peter 
ill.  2. 

THE  practice  and  use  of  the  plain  language  is  conso- 
nant with  the  rules  of  grammar  and  the  language 
of  holy  men  of  old  ;  the  Scriptures  bear  testimony  ;  yet 
I  was  desirous  to  prove  all  things,  to  biing  them  to  the 
standard  of  truth  in  my  heart,  and,  if  they  stood  the 
measure  of  that,  to  cleave  to  them.  I  began  to  use  this 
language  sometimes,  and  at  other  times  not,  when  in  my 
infancy ;  my  near  kinsfolk,  I  heard,  said  I  was  beside  my- 
self, therefore  it  was  a  cross  to  use  it  in  their  presence; 
but  denying  the  cross  brought  sorrow  and  weakness  along 
with  it,  and  a  fear,  that  if  I  went  do^\^l  the  steps  of  Ja- 
cob's ladder,  I  should  find  it  more  difficult  to  recover  the 
ground  I  had  lost,  than  even  to  ascend  to  another  step. 
*     *     * 

The  change  in  my  dress  was  a  great  cross,  as  I  was  al- 
ways given  to  fashionable  dresses,  and  at  this  time  had 
sundry  suits  of  apparel  of  this  sort.  I  felt  a  solemn  cov- 
ering to  come  over  my  spirit  early  one  morning,  which 
drew  me  into  deep  silence  and  attention,  when  I  felt  it 
required  of  me  to  confonn  to  the  simple  appearance  of 
Christ's  followers  :  His  garment  was  all  of  a  piece,  so 
ought  mine  to  be,  of  a  piece  with  my  speech,  my  life,  and 
my  conversation.  This  felt  to  be  a  severe  stroke ;  no 
shelter  was  now  left  me,  but  I  must  appear  as  a  fool  to 
the  world ;  my  speech  and  then  my  garments  would  betray 
me,  that  I  had  been  with  Christ,  and  professed  myself 
to  be  one  of  His  disciples. — John  Conron^  Ireland,  1772. 


Fourth  Month 23.]  DAILY    READINGS.  113 

"  The  meek  will  he  guide  in  judgment :  and  the  meek  will  he  teach  his  way." 
— Ppalm  XXV.  9. 

FOR  several  years  Daniel  Wheeler  had  an  impression 
that  it  would  be  required  of  him  to  go  abroad.  This 
prospect  frequently  cost  him  much  exercise  of  mind  ;  and 
one  day,  whilst  pacing  up  and  down  his  parlor,  feeling 
unusually  burdened  under  it,  he  was  led  earnestly  to  cry 
unto  the  Lord,  desiring  that  he  would  be  pleased  to  show 
him  to  what  part  of  the  world  he  must  go.  One  of  his 
children  was  in  the  room  putting  together  a  dissected  map, 
and  as  his  father  approached  him,  his  eye  rested  on 
Petersburg  with  such  an  intimation  that  thither  his  divine 
Master  would  send  him.  "  That,"  said  he,  in  relating  the 
circumstance  many  years  afterwards  to  an  intimate  friend, 
"  I  never  afterwards  doubted."  He  however  kept  the  mat- 
ter entirely  to  himself,  believing  that  when  the  right  time 
should  come,  way  would  be  made  for  him.  Early  in  the 
year  1817,  inquiry  having  been  made,  by  order  of  the  late 
Emperor  Alexander  of  Russia,  for  a  person  to  undertake 
the  management  of  an  agricultural  establishment  in  his 
dominions.  Daniel  Wheeler  believed  it  his  duty  to  offer  . 
himself  for  his  service.  The  Emperor,  as  the  reader  may 
recollect,  visited  this  country  in  the  year  1814,  and  was  ^ 
much  struck  with  the  perfection  of  the  English  system  of 
farming.  His  attention  had  been  drawn  in  several  ways 
to  the  Society  of  Friends  ;  and  a  casual  visit  made  to  the 
farm  of  a  Friend  gave  the  Emperor  a  favorable  impression 
of  their  character  as  agriculturists. — Memoirs  of  D. 
Wheeler  hy  W.  and  T,  Evans. 


114  DAILY    EEA.DINGS. 


[Fourth  Month  24. 


"  Who  is  blind  bnt  my  servant  ?  or  deaf  as  my  messenger  that  I  sent?  who  is 
blind  as  he  ihat  is  perfect,  and  blind  as  the  Lord's  servant  ?"— Isaiah  xlii.  19. 

IT  is  now  two  years  since  the  subject  of  visiting  Kussia 
and  rendering  myself  useful  in  promoting  the  happi- 
ness of  its  numerous  inhabitants,  was  presented  to  the 
view  of  my  mind,  by  that  inward  principle  of  light  and 
grace,  a  manifestation  of  which  is  given  to  every  man  to 
profit  withal,  in  which  I  believe;  and  Petersburg  was  the 
place  pointed  out  to  me  as  the  scene  of  my  operations.  It 
was,  I  must  acknowledge,  a  prospect  at  which  I  was 
ready  to  shudder :  for,  although  we  may  at  times  feel  a 
willingness,  and  even  profess  it,  to  go  with  our  Lord  and 
Master  into  prison  and  unto  death,  yet  such  is  the  frailty 
and  weakness  of  human  nature,  that  when  the  trying 
hour  Cometh,  like  Simon  Peter,  we  are  ready  to  deny 
Him.  But  He  who  is  touched  with  a  feeling  and  compas 
sionate  sense  of  our  manifold  infirmities,  I  trust  saw 
that  it  was  not  wilful  disobedience,  but  human  weakness ; 
and  He  who  only  knoweth  the  thoughts  and  intents  of 
the  heart,  yea,  for  whom  "  the  darkness  hideth  not,  but 
the  night  shiiietli  as  the  day,  the  darkness  and  light 
being  both  alike  to  Him,"  in  adorable  condescension  and 
^lercy  doth  at  seasons  qualify  his  poor,  dependent,  humble 
followers  acceptably  to  breathe  the  aspiration,  "Lord, 
thou  knowest  all  things,  thou  knowest  that  I  love  Thee." 
He,  by  His  wonder-working  power,  reduced  my  mind  to 
a  willingness  to  go  whensoever  and  wheresoever  He 
is  pleased  to  lead,  and  to  do  whatsoever  he  is  pleased  to 
call  for.— Daniel  WTieeler,  1817. 


PoTTBTH  Month  25.]  DAILY   READINGS.  115 

"  Woman,  believe  me,  the  hour  cometh,  when  ye  shall  neither  in  this  moun 
tain,  nor  yet  at  Jerusalem,  worship  thi  Father.  "—John  iv.  21, 

I  RECEIVED  a  message  that  I  was  to  be  introduced 
to  Prince  Galitzin,  I  was  conducted  to  the  splendid 
mansion  of  the  Prince  ;  we  were  ushered  into  his  apart- 
ment of  ample  size.  The  Prince  came  forward  and  met 
us  HI  a  very  courteous  manner,  and  on  being  introduced 
he  took  me  by  the  hand,  and  we  retired  to  the  back  part 
of  the  room ;  he  asked  me  many  questions  with  great  affa- 
bility in  Russian;  my  companion  interpreting  betwixt  us. 
Amongst  others,  he  inquired  what  family  I  had ;  which 
being  answered,  he  wished  to  know  whether  I  would  bring 
them  all  witli  me,  if  I  came  to  reside  in  Russia ;  I  said, 
*'Yes  ;  I  should  not  leave  a  hoof  behind  ; "  at  which  he 
seized  my  hand  and  expressed  his  satisfaction.  He  then 
enquired,  how  I  should  do,  as  there  was  no  place  of  woi^ship 
for  me,  no  meeting,  no  society ;  how  was  that  ?  I  told 
him  the  worship  of  Almighty  God  was  not  confined  to 
either  time  or  place,  that  is  neither  in  this  mountain,  nor 
at  Jerusalem;  but  in  every  place  incense  should  be  of- 
fered to  His  name,  and  a  pure  offering,  j^fter  pausing  a 
little,  he  desii*ed  the  sentence  might  be  thoroughly  ex- 
plained to  him.  He  then  seemed  quite  to  understand  it, 
bowing  his  head  in  a  reverent  manner,  and  appeared  to 
ponder  over  it,  *  *  * 

The  Prince  held  my  hand  till  we  got  to  the  door,  when 
I  bade  him  farewell  and  departed,  comparatively  as  light 
as  a  feather. —  Dcmld  Wheeler,  1817, 


116  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Fourth  Month  26. 


"Begotten  us  a^ain  unto  a  lively  hope,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ 
from  the  dead,  to  an  inheritance  incorruptible  and  undefiled  and  that  fadeth  not 
away."— 1  Peter  i,  3,  4. 

I  RECEIVED  a  message  that  the  Emperor*  would  see 
me  that  afternoon.  The  Prince  received  me  with 
his  usual  openness.  A  messenger  came  and  conducted  me 
to  the  palace,  and  after  going  through  a  range  of  rooms, 
I  was  shovvn  into  the  apartment  of  the  Emperor,  who  re- 
ceived me  with  more  parade  than  I  expected,  but  I 
thought  afterwards  this  was  only  on  account  of  the  page, 
for,  as  soon  as  the  door  shut,  he  took  me  by  the  hand,  say- 
ing, "  Sit  down,  Sir."  I  was  not  quite  ready  to  sit  down ; 
for  the  salutation  arose  in  my  heart,  "of  grace,  mercy,  and 
peace  be  multiplied,  from  God  the  Father,  and  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,"  upon  the  noble  Emperor,  etc.  The  Empe- 
ror stood  quite  still  until  I  had  finished ;  when  we  both 
sat  down.  He  had  many  questions  to  ask,  expressed  his 
surprise  and  satisfaction  at  the  manner  in  which  I  had 
been  led  into  Russia.  He  mentioned  my  memorial,  and, 
I  think  touched  upon  every  particular  head  distinctly, 
and  said  he  agreed  to  the  whole.  I  then  gave  him  a  pa- 
per I  had  in  my  pocket-book,  which  brought  the  peculiar 
principles  of  our  Society  into  view ;  this  he  read,  and 
questioned  me  about  all  of  them  ;  which  gave  me  time  to 
clear  myself  fully.  *  *  I  remember  my  last  words 
were  the  expression  of  a  desire  that  attended  my  mind, 
that  when  time  shall  rob  thee  of  thy  earthly  crown,  an 
inheritance  incorruptible  and  undefiled,  a  crown  immor- 
tal may  be  thy  happy  portion. — Daniel  Wheeler,  1817. 

*  Alexander,  of  Russia. 


FoTJBTH  Month  27.] 


DAILY   KEADIKGS.  117 


"  Trust  in  the  Lord,  and' do  good ;  so  shalt  thou  dwell  in  the  land,  and  verily 
thon  Shalt  be  fed."— Pdalm  xxxvii.  3. 

HAVING  now  dwelt  among  these  dear  people  (the 
Russians)  nearly  three  years,  I  think  I  can  say 
with  truth  that  my  love  for  them  has  not  diminished, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  greatly  increased,  particularly  for 
those  who  are  of  least  account  among  men.  *  *  *  I  had  a 
conference  with  the  Emperor  a  short  time  since,  and  was 
never  so  much  satisfied  with  any  previous  interview.  *  * 
A  knowledge  of  his  particular  situation  renders  him, 
in  my  estimation,  an  object  of  commiseration  and  sym- 
pathy. Few,  I  am  persuaded,  are  really  aware  of  the 
difficulties  by  which  he  is  encompassed,  or  of  what  he  has 
to  contend  with ;  and  when  I  consider  the  education  he 
has  had  ajid  training  up  altogether,  I  am  more  than  ever 
surprised,  that  he  should  have  any  relish  for  serious 
things.  He  had  been  absent  about  ten  months  at  Con- 
gress ;  on  my  telling  him  he  had  been  a  long  time  away 
from  his  large  family,  he  said :  "  I  have  a  great  deal  to  do. 
It  is  a  very  difficult  thing  to  act  for  a  nation,  but  I  hope 
I  have  acted  under  God ;  and  the  measures  I  have  taken 
I  hope  are  approved  by  him.  I  am  encouraged  to  be- 
lieve so,  because  not  a  drop  of  blood  has  been  spilled." 
I  told  him  I  had  often  thought  of  him,  and  that  a  peti- 
tion had  been  raised  in  my  heart  on  his  account.  "  Yes," 
he  said,  "  and  I  have  often  thought  of  you  :  there  has  not 
been  one  day  but  I  have  thought  of  you  and  of  Messrs. 
Allen  and  Grellet,  and  always  felt  myself  united  to  you 
three  in  spirit. — Daniel  Wheeler,  Russia,  1821. 


lis  DAILY    READINGS. 


[FotTRTH   JIONTH  2S. 


"  All  tliy  works  shall  praise  thee,  O  Lord  ;  and  thy  saints  shall  hless  thee. 
They  shall  speak  of  the  glory  of  thy  kingdom,  and  talk  of  thy  power." — Psalm 
cxlv.  10, 11. 

IT  has  often  been  my  lot,  and  it  seems  as  if  the  mea- 
sure was  not  yet  filled  up,  to  witness  and  to  share 
many  painful  scenes.  I  sometimes  tliink  tliat  a  greater 
portion  of  suiFering  is  necessary  for  me  than  for  others, 
to  liold  in  check  and  humble  a  disposition  which  is  nat- 
urally so  prone  to  rebel.  It  is,  at  any  rate,  no  more  than 
I  deserve,  after  the  days  Avithout  number  that  have  been 
passed  in  folly  and  forgetfulness  of  that  gi*acious  Being, 
w^ho  hath  in  unutterable  condescension  and  mercy  fol- 
lowed me  from  my  youth  up,  even  to  the  present  day ; 
and  who,  I  humbly  trust,  will  never  forsake  His  poor  un- 
worthy creature  ;  but  by  renewed  trials  and  baptisms, 
will  keep  alive  the  vital  spark,  until  He  is  graciously 
pleased  to  say,  "  it  is  enough."  If  I  know  myself,  I  think 
I  do  not  desire  a  life  of  ease ;  but  I  would  gladly  devote 
the  few  remaining  days  which  may  be  my  portion  here, 
to  declaring  "  the  mighty  acts  of  the  Lord,"  to  my  poor, 
benighted  fellow-creatures,  though  unequal  and  unwor- 
thy to  show  forth  half  His  praise.     *     *     * 

The  earth  has  been  opening  around  us,  and  swallowing 
up  the  people  to  a  feai-ful  extent  from  cholera — old  ai^d 

young,  strong  and  weak,  rich  and  poor,  have  fallen  at 
the  short  notice  of  from  two  to  three  hours.     Although 

we  have  had  to  stand  as  with  our  lives  in  our  hands, 

yet  we  have  been  favored  beyond  precedent. — Daniel 

Wheeler,  Kussia,  1831. 


Fourth  Month  i 


DAILY    KEADINGS.  119 


**  I  lay  down  my  life  that  I  may  take  it  again.  No  man  taketh  it  from  me.  I 
have  power  to  lay  it  down,  and  I  have  power  to  take  it  again. "—John  x.  17. 

OH!  it  is  an  awful  thing  to  appear  before  the  Judge 
of  tlie  whole  earth,  but  I  do  not  feel  afraid.  I  have 
a  merciful  Saviour;  pray  for  me  that  patience  hold  out  to 
the  end  ;  our  blesse  1  Saviour  died  the  death  ;  mine  is  a 
natural  death,  but  his  was  for  the  whole  world.  He  gave 
up  his  life  freely,  and  suffered  on  the  cross.  He  gave  his 
life  a  willing  sacrifice,  and  we  must  give  up  our  whole 
hearts  ;  no  cross,  no  crown,  is  a  sure  testimony ;  if  we  will 
not  bear  the  cross,  we  cannot  have  the  crown. 

Oh  !  my  dear  children,  may  you  never  rest  but  in  the 
wrestling  of  the.  soul,  until  he  has  fully  redeemed  you,  un- 
til he  has  finished  the  work  he  has  begun  in  you.  Oh  !  from 
ray  dying  bed,  I  beg  of  you,  that  it  may  be  the  ear- 
nest breathing  of  your  souls,  that  you  may  be  redeemed 
from  the  perishing  things  of  time,  and  that  your  affec- 
tions may  be  fixed  upon  eternity  :  upon  things  that  will 
endure  for  ever.  What  would  it  avail  me  now  to  have 
the  world,  or  as  much  as  might  be  equal  to  our  most  ex- 
travagant desires  to  possess  ?     *     *     * 

Oh  !  eternity  !  Oh  !  the  length  of  eternity  !  Oh  ! 
that  it  may  be  impressed  on  every  heart,  the  length  of 
eternity  !     There  is  no  end! 

"  The  salvation  of  the  righteous  is  of  the  Lord  ;  he  is 
their  strength  in  the  time  of  trouble.  And  the  Lord 
shall  help  them,  and  deliver  them  :  he  shall  deliver  them 
from  the  wicked,  and  save  them,  because  they  trust  in 
liim." — Psalm  xxxvii. — Mary  Hugger,  1839. 


120  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Fourth  Month  30. 


"  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth  :  yea,  saith  the 
spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors  ;  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 
—Rev.  xiv.  13. 

rr^HERE  is  nothing  comparable  to  the  sweetness  of 

1  the  truth !  all  the  pleasures  and  possessions  of 
this  world  are  but  as  a  bubble — the  blessed  truth  as  it  is  in 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

Those  who  live  under  the  power  and  guidance  of 
truth  will  be  distinguished  from  others  by  a  light  about 
them,  which  will  be  even  as  the  lialo  represented  round 
about  the  head  of  Jesus. 

There  are  those  in  all  the  walks  of  life,  who  look  to  God 
for  his  help  and  counsel.  Anything  we  can  do  is  but  as 
filthy  rag-*.  Bear  it  in  miud,  my  friends.  Nothing  but  the 
grace  of  God  can  cover  us  in  such  an  hour  as  this.  I 
have  long  sought  God's  counsel  and  help.  Keep  humble. 
Don't  do  anything  to  please  the  pride  of  the  eye.  Keep  to 
duty.  Don't  think  it  will  expose  you :  it  will  not.  It  will 
bring  peace.  The  blessing  of  God  rest  uj^on  you  all.  Give 
glory  to  God  in  the  highest.  Oh  !  that  I  could  proclaim  to 
all  the  world  the  sweetness  I  feel,  and  the  power  of  the 
ever-blessed  truth,  which  is  more  to  me  noio  than  ten 
thousand  worlds. 

My  case  is  a  very  doubtful  one,  but  life  is  uncertain  at 
all  times.     The  great  object  of  life  is  to  prepare  for  death. 

Do  not  give  me  anything  to  benumb  my  faculties.  1 
want  my  mind  clear.  I  want  to  lift  up  my  heart  to  him, 
who  alone  can  help. —  George  Ilowland^  New  Bedford, 
Mass.,  1852. 


Fifth  Month  1.]  DAILY   READINGS.  121 

"  He  canseth  the  grass  to  grow  for  the  cattle,  and  herb  for  the  service  of  man : 
that  he  may  bring  forth  food  out  of  the  earth."— Psalm  civ.  14. 

rr^^IIE  return"  of  spring  does  indeed  afford  much  food 
I  for  the  contemplative  mind,  both  of  youth  and 
age,  though  the  thoughts  of  those  very  differently  cir- 
cumstanced classes  may  take  an  almost  opposite  direc- 
tion. The  former,  exhilarated  by  the  language  of  animal 
spirit  and  the  universal  smile  of  nature,  look  forward 
with  sanguine,  often  too  sanguine,  expectations  to  the 
future ;  whils^t  those  on  whom  these  prospects  have  not 
only  been  opened  but  closed,  and  who  have  nearly  seen 
the  end  of  earthly  perfection,  are  apt  to  look  behind 
them. 

Thus  to  me,  and  such  as  me,  it  is  not  an  unpleasing 
though  somewhat  pensive  employment,  to  number  the 
lovely  springs  that  have  ])assed  over  our  heads,  and  to 
turn  over  the  chequered  page  of  our  own  history,  and  that 
of  the  times  in  which  we  have  lived,  as  I  can  readily  do, 
for  more  than  half  a  century. 

In  tracing  these  records,  although  I  find  some  blots, 
some  blunders,  and  here  and  there  a  very  zigzag  and 
awkward  line,  yet  I  really  have  no  desire  to  try  the  ground 
over  again,  even  were  I  to  begin  with  the  advantages  which 
the  first  experiment  might  be  supposed  to  afford.  For  I 
find  former  experience,  though  of  some  value,  is  insuffi- 
cient for  preservation ;  it  cannot  supercede  watchfulness, 
nor  does  it  preclude  warfare. — Jonathan  Hutchinson^ 
1818. 


xrKi"<'i2B'^J" 


122  DAILY    READINGS.  [Fifth  Month  e. 


"  But  the  anointing  which  ye  have  received  of  him  abideth  in  you,  and  ye  need 
not  that  any  man  teach  you  :  but  a?  the  eame  anointing  teacheth  you  of  all 
thinci*,  and  is  truth,  and  is  no  lie."—!  John  ii. 27. 

A^D  tliou  who  art  willing  to  follow  this,  and  to  be 
guided  by  this,  shalt  need  no  man  to  teach  thee, 
but  it  will  be  a  teacher  unto  thee,  teaching  and  directing 
thee  in  righteousness,  purity,  and  holiness ;  and  if  thou 
art  diligent,  keeping  tliy  mind  within,  with  an  ear  open 
to  the  pure  voice,  thou  shalt  find  it  present  with  thee 
wheresoever  thou  art,  in  the  fields,  in  thy  bed,  in  markets, 
in  company,  or  wheresoever  thou  art.  When  thy  out- 
ward priest  or  teacher  is  absent  or  far  ofi*,  it  will  be  present 
with  thee,  and  will  check  thee  and  condemn  thee  for  that 
which  no  outward  eye  can  see,  and  will  cleanse  thy  heart 
from  lust,  and  deceit,  and  uncleanness,  and  will  purify 
thy  heart,  and  make  it  a  fit  temple  for  purity  to  dwell  in ; 
and  then  thy  sacrifices  will  be  pure,  which  come  from  a 
pure  heart,  and  the  Lord  will  accept  them.  But,  if  thou 
wouldst  attain  to  this,  thou  must  be  willing  to  deny  thy 
lust,  thy  vanity,  thy  delights,  and  whatever  has  been  thy 
life,  for  Christ  has  declared  "  whosoever  will  save  his  life, 
shall  lose  it ;  and  whosoever  will  lose  his  life  for  my  sake, 
shall  find  it."  So,  there  is  no  obtaining  life  but  through 
death  ;  no  obtaining  the  crown^  but  through  the  cross.-^ 
James  Parnell. 

Great  God.  if  round  my  sinking  head, 

The  waves  of  sorrow  roll : 
The  word?i  which  thou  the  Saviour  «aid, 

Shall  cheer  my  struggling  soul. 

—Amelia  Owe. 


Fifth  Month  3.] 


DAILY    KKADINOS.  123 


''And  be  not  conformed  to  this  world :  but  be  ye  tra  us  formed  by  the  renew- 
ing of  your  mind,  that  yoii  may  prove  what  is  that  ^ood,  and  acceptable,  and 
perfect  will  of  God."— Rom.  xii.  2. 

AT  the  presant  favored  interval  of  retirement  and 
leisure,  I  am  concerned  to  repeat  an  inquiry, 
more  than  once  instituted  before  this  time,  wlietlier  1  am 
not  now  called  on  to  declare  and  profess  before  men,  the 
religious  persuasion  and  j^rinciples  which  I  most  surely 
hold :  and  to  adopt  that  course  of  daily  practice  in  con- 
duct and  conversation,  of  the  reasonableness  and  right- 
ness  of  which  T  have  not  any  doubt.  It  does  appear  to 
my  view  highly  and  imperatively  necessary,  that  an  in- 
ternal change  should  precede  an  extenial  one.  I  believe 
that  conversion  is  that  of  the  heart ;  that  profession 
must  follow,  not  go  before  possession  ;  and  that  an  out- 
ward show  and  appearance  of  peculiar  seriousness  is  hy- 
pocrisy and  increased  condemnation,  if  not  accompanied 
by  the  inward  work  of  sanctification  in  the  soul.  Never- 
theless, it  is  certain  to  my  mind  that  one  invariable  evi- 
dence of  true  religion,  having  entered  and  taken  up  its 
abode  in  us,  will  always  be,  that  we  shall  no  longer  con- 
form ourselves  to  this  world  in  its  vanity  and  folly  ;  and 
that,  in  our  dress,  address  and  general  conduct  in  every 
particular,  we  shall  not  be  governed  by  worldly  maxims 
or  opinions,  but  by  the  law  written  in  our  hearts.  Hoav 
far  then  is  this  the  case  with  me  ?  How  far  can  I  assur- 
edly say,  that  this  change  of  heart  is  my  experience  ? 
O !  I  feel  indeed  that  I  come  short  of  what  ought  to  be 
my  practice. — John  liarday,  1816. 


^^^  I^^^ILY    READINGS.  [Fifth  Month  4. 


"  Woe  to  them  that  are  at  ease  in  Zion,  trusting  in  the  mountain  of  Samaria." 
— ^Amo8  vi.  1. 


I  HAD  a  natural  warmth  in  my  disposition,  which 
I  was  very  desirous  to  overcome,  as  it  unsettled 
my  mind  from  that  state  of  quiet  in  which  I  found  rest ; 
but  all  the  care  I  used  was  not  sufficient  at  times  to  sub- 
due it,  and  it  was  cause  of  great  uneasiness  to  me  when 
it  did  get  up  :  yet  I  was  enabled  through  Divine  favor 
to  keep  up  a  fair  outside  appearance  with  men,  was 
Qot  guilty  of  immorality,  and  was  reckoned  sober  and 
religious,  and  upon  these  grounds  I  held  a  j^i'etty  good 
opinion  of  my  own  attainment.  Here  I  was  ready  to  set- 
tle down,  and  to  think  I  had  reached  the  desired  haven 
of  rest ;  but  this  state,  I  believe,  is  one  of  the  subtleties  of 
our  grand  adversary,  and  is  a  false  rest,  and  not  that 
prepared  for  the  people  of  God ;  out  of  this  the  enemy 
will  not  disturb  us,  he  will  allow  us  to  remain  there  all 
our  lives,  as  I  fear  too  many  do — resting  m  their  own 
labors,  their  works  will  not  follow  them.  But  my  merci- 
ful Redeemer,  who  knew  the  integrity  of  my  heart,  and 
saw  that  bread  did  not  satisfy  my  hungry  soul,  because  I 
hungered  and  thirsted  after  righteousness,  winch  these 
things  did  not  produce.*  *  *  *  My  mind  being  so 
limited  by  the  prejudices  of  education  in  favor  of  that 
profession  of  religion  I  was  taught  to  believe  in,  I  did 
not  look  for,  neither  did  I  expect  to  feel  in  myself,  the 
second  appearance  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  without  sin 
unto  salvation. — Jbh?i  Co7iro?ij  Dublin,  Ireland,  1759. 


FiPTH  MoxTH  5.]  I>'^If'Y   READINGS.  i25 

"  His  rifrliteousuess  unto  children's  children,  to  ench  as  keep  his  covenantB 
and  reraoraber  his  commandments  to  do  them."— Psalm  ciii.  18. 

MAY  we  of  the  retiring  generation  be  happily  con- 
tinued objects  of  Divine  regard  and  compassion, 
and  be  endued  from  season  to  season  with  fresh  supplies 
of  heavenly  wisdom,  that  so  we  may  walk  in  and  before 
our  families  with  propriety,  and  leave  such  vestiges  in  all 
parts  of  our  conduct,  as  our  successors  may  safely  follow  ; 
and  may  our  beloved  offspring  and  their  connections, 
having  been  favored  to  see  a  glimpse  of  the  beauty  which 
is  in  the  truth,  dwell  low  in  humble,  watchful  fear,  that 
this  eye  may  ever  be  kept  open  in  them,  that  the  vision 
may  be  more  and  more  cleared  and  extended,  and  the 
God  of  this  world  never  be  permitted  to  close  or  obscure 
with  the  dust  of  the  earth,  or  dazzle  and  dim  with  worldly 
splendor !  I  am  anxious  for  the  coming  forward  of  the 
youth  of  our  day ;  something  or  other  retards  their  growth  ; 
with  many  it  is  not  any  evil  disposition,  any  criminal 
pursuit,  but  I  fear  there  is  a  want  of  a  steady,  solid,  dili- 
gent waiting  for  the  renewal  of  those  baptisms  which 
purge  the  soul  and  prepare  it  for  further  illuminations  and 
discoveries  of  duty.  There  is  a  seeking  and  desiring 
after  good,  and  a  looking  towards  the  servants  and  messen- 
gers, and  expecting  them ;  but  if,  under  a  sense  of  our 
wants  and  weakness,  our  attention  was  more  immediately 
turned  to  the  Master  himself,  and  our  dependence  more 
abstractedly  fixed  on  Him,  I  believe  there  would  be 
more  of  a  growing  in  the  root. — Richard  ShacMeton, 
1781. 


126  DAIIA'    liEADI^GS. 


[Fifth  Month  6. 


"  I  know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am  persuaded  he  is  able  to  keep  that 
which  I  have  committed  unto  him  against  that  day." — 2  Tim.  1.  12. 

AND  all  you  whose  hearts  are  tender  to  the  Lord, 
whosci  trials  and  exercises  are  not  a  few,  be  not 
daunted  nor  discouraged,  although  the  enemy  may  seek 
to  frighten  you  Avith  many  temptations,  and  would 
seek  to  lead  you  out  of  the  fellowship  with  or  sweet  re- 
membrance of  your  dying  day,  which  exercise  my  soul  has 
sometimes  passed  under.  But  blessed  be  the  Lord  for 
ever,  the  enemy  is  found  a  liar ;  for  the  Lord  has  been 
pleased  to  make  this  sick-bed  to  me  better  than  a  King's 
palace  ;  and  I  have  great  fellowship  with  my  I^dst  day  ; 
and  do  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  who  doth  so  sweetly  visit  me 
with  the  glorious  light  of  his  countenance.  It  is  with 
me,  as  it  is  with  one  who  has  traveled  many  weary  jour- 
neys, and  at  last  has  come  to  the  sight  of  his  desired 
end ;  which  when  he  sees,  greatly  rejoices,  in  the  sense 
of  a  further  satisfaction  which  he  shall  after  enjoy ;  even  so 
it  is  with  me,  who  have  passed  no  opportunity,  where  I 
saw  the  way  of  life  clear  and  open  before  me,  but  have  been 
veady  night  and  day  to  do  the  will  and  answer  the  requir- 
ings  of  the  Lord ;  and  so  running  as  in  a  race,  knowing 
my  time,  that  is  but  short.  And  blessed  be  "the  Lord,  I 
have  great  peace  and  salvation  in  this  my  weak  and  low 
condition.  And  so,  my  dear  and  well-beloved  Friends, 
dwell  in  love  one  with  another,  walking  in  the  unspotted 
life;  so  shall  you  grow  up  as  pleasant  plants  in  the 
garden  of  the  Lord. — ElcJiard  Samble,  died  1680,  aged 
35  years. 


FiPTH  Month  7.]  DAIJ.Y   READINGS.  127 

*'  He  that  wavereth  i»  like  a  wave  of  the  sea,  driven  with  the  wind  and  tossed." 
—James  i.  6. 

I  AM  at  present  like  a  ship  put  to  sea  without  a  pilot.  I 
feel  ray  heart  and  mind  so  overburdened.  I  want 
some  one  to  lean  upon.  My  mind  is  in  so  dark  a  state 
that  I  see  everything  through  a  black  medium.  I  can 
comprehend  nothing.  I  doubt  upon  everything.  Without 
passions  of  any  kind,  how  different  I  should  be  !  I  would 
not  give  them  up,  but  I  should  like  to  have  them  under 
subjection  ;  but  it  appears  to  me  (as  I  feel)  impossible  to 
govern  them;  my  mind  is  not  strong  enough;  as  I  at 
times  think  they  do  no  hurt  to  others.  But  am  I  sure 
they  will  hurt  no  one  ?  I  believe,  by  not  governing  myself 
in  little  things,  I  may  by  degrees  become  a  despicable 
character,  and  a  curse  to  society;  therefore,  my  doing 
wrong  is  of  consequence  to  others,  as  well  as  to  myself. 
I  feel  by  experience,  much  entering  into  the  world  hurts 
me ;  worldly  company,  I  think,  materially  injures ;  it 
excites  a  false  stimulus,  such  as  a  love  of  pomp,  pride, 
vanity,  jealousy,  and  ambition ;  it  leads  to  think  about 
dress,  and  such  trifles,  and  when  out  of  it,  we  fly  to  novels 
and  scandal,  or  something  of  that  kind,  for  entertainment. 
I  liave  of  late  been  given  up  a  good  deal  to  worldly 
passions ;  by  what  I  have  felt  I  can  easily  imagine  how 
soon  I  should  be  quite  led  away. — Elisabeth  Gurney, 
:jged  16  years. 

Words  are  for  others,  not  for  ourselves,  nor  for  God,  who  hears  not  as  bodiea 
do,  but  as  spirits  should.— Wm.  Penn. 


128  DAILY   KEADINGS. 


[Fifth  Month  8. 


*'  Lo,  this  only  have  I  found,  that  God  hath  made  man  upright ;  hut  they  have 
sought  out  many  inventions. "—Ecclesiastes  vii.  29. 

A  LIFE  of  indulgence  is  not  the  way  to  arrive  at 
Christian  perfection.  There  are  many  things  that 
appear  trifles,  which  greatly  tend  to  enervate  the  soul, 
and  hinder  its  progress  in  the  path  to  virtue  and  glory. 
The  habit  of  indulging  in  things  which  our  judgments 
cannot  thoroughly  approve,  grows  stronger  and  stronger 
by  every  act  of  self-gratification,  and  we  are  led  on  by 
degrees  to  an  excess  of  luxury  which  must  greatly  weaken 
our  hands  in  the  spiritual  warfare. 

I  was  led  to  these  reflections  by  the  consideration  how 
lying  late  in  bed  of  a  morning  creeps  on  by  degrees.  It 
appears  a  very  trifling  thing,  and  we  can  hardly  believe 
that  half  an  hour's  indulgence  that  way  amounts  to  a 
crime ;  in  itself  it  may  not,  and  a  general  rule  it  would 
be  impossible  to  fix  ;  but  I  believe  each  individual  is  apt 
to  determine  one  in  his  own  mind,  and  the  crime  lies  in 
extending  our  indulgence  beyond  that  standard  which 
our  judgments  have  fixed.  In  every  other  action  of  life, 
the  same  reasoning  takes  place.  If  we  do  not  endeavor 
to  do  that  which  is  right  in  every  particular  circumstance, 
though  trifling,  we  shall  be  in  great  danger  of  letting 
the  same  negligence  take  place,  in  matters  more  essential. 

In  the  hour  of  cool  meditation,  how  frequently  do  we 
hear  the  soft  whisper  of  conscience  not  only  condemning 
the  evil,  and  leading  us  to  repentance,  but  pointing  out 
to  us  the  way  by  which  we  may  arrive  at  happiness  and 
glory. — Margaret  Woods,  1771. 


Fifth  MoKTH  90  DAILY  READINGS.  129 

"  O  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness,  and  for  hie  wouderfiil 
work?  to  the  children  of  men."— Psalm  cvii.  8. 

HAS  He  not  dealt  exceeding  bountifully  to  some 
of  you  of  the  things  of  this  life  ?  For  what 
cause  think  you  has  he  entrusted  you  with  such  abun- 
dance ?  Is  it  to  gratify  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  xhv 
pride  of  life  ?  Is  it  to  make  you  haughty,  and  assume  u 
superiority  over  such  as,  in  this  respect,  may  be  below 
ourselves,  but  who  perhaps  may  some  of*  them  be  higher 
in  the  Divine  favor. 

Nay,  surely :  but  in  order  that  you  may  improve  this 
gift  to  his  honor,  the  good  of  others,  and  your  eternal 
advantage ;  and  may  be  humbled  in  a  sense  of  the  dis- 
proportion of  your  deserts  to  his  mercy. 

Has  he  not  favored  some  of  you  with  superior  natural 
abilities  ?  And  for  what  end,  but  that  you  might  be 
in  a  superior  degree  serviceable  in  his  hand  ?  Has  he  not 
afforded  to  all  a  day  of  merciful  visitation,  wherein  he 
has  by  various  means  endeavored  to  bring  you  into  that 
fold  of  immortal  rest,  wherein  he  causes  his  "  Flocks  to 
lie  down  beside  the  clear  streams  of  salvation  ?  " 

O,  saith  my  soul !  that  you  may  consider  his  mercies, 
and  make  a  suitable  return  for  them ;  that  the  Most  High 
may  delight  in  the  present  generation.  O  !  you  of  the 
rising  generation,  open  the  door  of  your  hearts  to  that 
Divine  visitant,  who  has  long  stood  thereat,  and  knocked 
for  entrance.  Let  him  prepare  you,  and  he  will  assur- 
edly spread  his  table,  and  admit  you  to  be  the  happy 
communicants  thereat. —  Catherine  Phillips^  1778. 


130  DAILY   HEADINGS. 


[Fifth  Month  10. 


"  The  earth  mourneth  and  fadeth  away,  the  wo  Id  lano;uisheth  and  fadeth 
away,  the  hanghty  people  of  the  earth  do  languish."— Isaiah  xxiv.  4. 

I  FELT  in  the  spring  of  pure  love,  that  I  might  remain 
some  time  longer  in  the  body,  to  fill  up  according  to 
my  measure,  that  which  remains  of  the  afflictions  of  Christ, 
a  "id  to  labor  for  the  good  of  the  church ;  after  which  I  re- 
quested my  nurse  to  apply  warmth  to  my  feet,  and  I  re- 
vived. The  next  night,  feeling  a  weighty  exercise  of 
spirit,  and  having  a  solid  friend  sitting  up  with  me,  I  re- 
quested him  to  write  what  I  said,  which  he  did  as  follows : 

"  Fourth  day  of  thefii*st  month,  1770,  about  five  in  the 
morning. — I  have  seen  in  the  light  of  the  Lord,  that  the 
day  is  approaching,  when  the  man  that  is  most  wise  in  hu- 
man policy  shall  be  the  greatest  fool ;  and  the  arm  that  is 
mighty  to  support  injustice  shall  be  broken  to  pieces  ;  the 
enemies  of  righteousness  shall  make  a  terrible  rattle,  and 
shall  mightily  torment  one  another ;  for  he  that  is  omnip- 
otent is  rising  up  to  judgment,  and  will  plead  the  cause 
of  the  oppressed :  and  He  commanded  me  to  open  the 
vision." 

N'ear  a  week  after  this,  feeling  my  mind  livingly  opened, 
I  sent  for  a  neighbor,  who,  at  my  request,  wrote  as  follows : 

"  The  place  of  prayer  is  a  precious  habitation ;  for  I 
now  saw  that  the  prayers  of  the  saints  were  precious  in- 
conse :  and  a  trumpet  was  given  me,  that  I  might  sound 
forth  this  language ;  that  the  children  might  hear  it,  and 
be  invited  together  to  this  precious  habitation,  where 
the  prayers  of  the  saints,  as  precious  incense,  arise  before 
the  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb." — John  Woolman, 


Fifth  Month  11.]  DAILY    READINGS.  131 

*'  But  as  it  is  written.  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered 
into  the  heart  of  man,  the  things  whi  h  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love 
him.  But  God  hath  revealed  them  unto  us  by  his  Spirit :  for  the  Spirit  searcheth 
all  things,  yea,  the  deep  things  of  God."— 1  Corinthians  ii.  9,  10. 

DURING  the  whole  of  that  sickness  I  continued  en- 
tirely sensible,  and  whilst  death  seemed  to  be  ap- 
})roaching,  and  I  had  turned  myself  on  one  side,  the  more 
easily,  as  I  thought,  to  breathe  my  last,  my  spirit  feeling  al- 
ready as  encii-cled  by  the  angelic  host  in  the  Heavenly 
Presence,  a  secret  but  powerful  language  was  proclaimed 
on  this  wise:  "  Tliou  shall  not  die,  hut  live — thy  work  is 
not  yet  done,'''*  Then  the  corners  of  the  earth,  over  seas 
and  lands,  were  opened  to  me,  where  I  should  have  to 
labor  in  the  service  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  O  what 
amazement  I  Avas  filled  with  !  What  a  solemn  and  awful 
prospect  was  set  before  me  I  Sorrow  took  hold  of  me  at 
the  words ;  for  it  seemed  as  if  I  had  had  already  a  foot- 
hold in  the  Heavenly  places.  I  wept  sore ;  but,  as  it  was 
the  Divine  will,  I  bowed  in  reverence  before  Him,  inter- 
ceding that,  after  I  had,  by  His  assistance,  been  enabled 
to  do  the  work  He  had  for  me  to  do,  and  the  end  of  my 
days  in  this  probationary  state  had  fully  come,  I  might 
be  permitted  to  be  placed  in  the  same  state  in  which  I 
then  was,  pass  through  the  valley  and  shadow  of  death 
strengthened  by  His  Divine  presence,  and  enter  finally 
into  those  glorious  mansions,  at  the  threshold  of  which 
my  spirit  had  then  come.  I  saw  and  felt  that  which 
cannot  be  written.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  from  that  very 
time  the  disorder  subsided, — Stephen  Grellet^  aged  24. 


132  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Fifth  Month  12. 


'*  All  the  paths  of  the  Lord  arc  mercy  and  truth,  unto  such  as  keep  his  cove- 
nant and  his  testimonies.  The  troubles  of  my  heart  are  enlarged :  O  bring 
thou  me  out  of  my  distresses."— Psalm  xxv.  10,  17, 

FROM  the  time  that  I  went  to  live  with  my  brother 
William  in  London,  I  regularly  attended  Friends' 
Meetings ;  not  that  I  was  acquainted  with  their  peculiar 
religions  views ;  indeed,  there  seemed  to  be  -d  prohibition 
of  anght  but  simple  evidence  and  obedience.  The  experi- 
ence of  others  did  not  seem  to  reach  my  case ;  all  was  to 
be  given  np,  that  all  things  might  be  new.  \  and  such  were 
the  sacrifices  required,  from  time  to  time,  as  none  can 
know  or  understand,  save  those  who  have  been  led  in  ^ 
similar  way. 

About  this  time,  in  consequence  of  my  decided  resolu- 
tion to  attend  the  meetings  of  Friends,  ray  dear  father,  (no 
doubt  in  faithfulness  to  his  own  religious  views,  and  from 
the  desire  to  rescue  a  poor  child  from  apprehended  eiTor) 
requested  me  not  to  return  to  the  paternal  roof,  unless  I 
could  be  satisfied  to  conform  to  the  religious  education 
which  he  had  conscientiously  given  me.  This,  with  a 
tender,  heart-piercing  remonstrance  from  my  dear,  dear 
mother,  was  far  more  deeply  felt  than  I  can  describe ; 
and  marvelous  in  my  view,  even  to  this  day,  was  the 
settled,  fiiTn  belief  that  I  must  follow  on,  to  know  the 
soul's  salvation  for  myself;  truly  in  a  way  that  I  knew 
not ! — Mary  Capper^  aged  32. 

I  lead  in  the  way  of  righteousness,  in  the  midst  of  the  paths  of  judgment. 


Fifth  Month  13.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  133 


"  So  likewise,  whosoever  he  he  of  you  that  forsaketh  not  all  that  he  hath,  he 
cannot  be  my  disciple."— Luke  xiv.  a3. 

MUST  I  for  ever  give  up  the  dear,  pleasing  hope  of 
being  received  into  the  house  and  affections  of 
my  once  kind,  indulgent  parents?  Oh!  my  sister,  will 
you,  can  you  despise  me  ?  I  have  no  firm  consolation  but 
in  the  belief  that  I  am  guided  by  a  superior  Power.  I 
have  exerted  every  faculty  of  my  mind  ;  I  have  resolute- 
ly mortified  my  body,  endeavoring  to  bring  it  into  sub- 
jection, free  from  the  influence  of  passion  and  deceiving 
sense;  and  I  have  a  secret  intimation  that  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  is  within  us ;  that  in  the  silence  of  the  creature, 
is  the  power  of  God  made  known. 

O  !  my  Rebecca ;  if  you  would  examine  the  uniform 
desire  of  my  life,  the  earnestness  of  my  supplications, 
and  my  present  wish  of  behig  humble,  pure,  wholly  de- 
pendent upon  God  my  Maker,  without  any  confidence  in 
man;  if  you  would  thus  consider  me,  without  prejudice, 
I  think  you  would  not,  could  not  reject  me  !  Of  my  own 
willings,  or  self-abilities,  I  deserve  little  ;  but,  in  my  heart 
and  understanding,  I  submit  to  a  perfect  Teacher ;  and 
in  his  light,  is  my  life  and  my  hope.  Think  not,  my  Re- 
becca, that  I  have  contracted  ideas  which  circumscribe 
salvation  to  any  particular  sect.  God  forbid  !  my  heart 
is  contrariwise  enlarged  in  universal  charity.  Let  each 
be  satisfied  in  his  own  mind,  and  the  censures  or  api)lau- 
ses  of  multitudes  can  only  be  a  secondary  consideration 
of  no  weight. — Mary  Capper^  aged  32. 


134  DATl.Y    KEAI>INGS. 


[FiFi'H  Month  14. 


'■  O  that  thon  hads^t  hearkened  to  ray  commandments  1  Then  had  thj^  peace  been 
as  a  river,  and  thy  righteousness  as  the  waves  of  the  sea."'— Isa.  xlviii.  18. 

OTIIOU  who  hast  in  abundant  mercy  condescended 
to  be  the  guide  of  my  early  age,  when  under  the 
rare  of  tender  parents,  I  have  abundant  cause  to  com- 
memorate thy  loving-kindness  and  fatherly  care  over  me. 
If  I  had  been  faithful  in  all  things  to  thy  commands, 
how  would  my  peace  have  flowed  as  a  river.  Although 
I  have  painfully  to  reflect  on  many  omissions  and  com- 
missions, I  have  many  times  experienced  that  there  is 
mercy  with  thee,  that  thou  mayest  be  feared.  And  now 
I  pray  thee  to  be  the  support  of  my  old  age.  Oh !  that  it 
would  please  thee  so  to  humble  my  heart  that  I  might 
have  no  will  of  my  own,  but  feel  perfect  resignation  to 
thy  holy  will  in  all  things. 

Thou  hast  promised  a  blessing  to  the  poor  in  spirit : 
forget  not  one  who  is  as  a  worm  and  no  man  before  thee. 
Grant  me  patience  to  bear  the  distressing  pain  in  my  head, 
and  cause  it  to  prove  as  the  refiner's  fire  and  as  the  ful- 
ler's soap. 

Perusing  the  writings  of  our  worthy  predecessors  often 
proves  instructive.  My  heart  was  afll'Cted  this  day  in 
reading  the  life  of  John  Crook,  where  I  found  this 
striking  passage,  copied  from  the  margin  of  an  old  Bible, 
printed  about  the  year  1599:  "When  the  mind  thinks 
nothing,  when  the  soul  covets  nothing,  and  the  body 
acteth  nothing  that  is  contrary  to  the  will  of  God,  this  is 
perfect  sanctification." — Mary  Hagger,  England,  1827. 


Fn-TH  Month  15.]  DAILY   READINGS.  135 

"  Many  are  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous :  but  the  Lord  delivereth  oat 
of  them  all.  "—Psalm  xxxiv.  19. 

EEMEMBERING  the  Lord  our  gracious  God,  in  his 
ways  and  merciful  dealings  with  me  from  my  youth  ; 
how  he  found  me  among  his  lost  and  strayed  slieep  on 
the  barren  mountains  of  fruitless  professions,  and  how  In- 
«lrew  me  to  an  inward  experience  of  his  power  and  sanc- 
tifying work  in  my  heart,  and  to  know  his  teachings  and 
spiritual  ministry ;  thereby  to  enable  me  by  degrees  ex- 
perimentally to  minister  to  others,  and  oblige  me  to  live 
accordingly  ;  as  also  to  suffer  patiently,  with  resignation 
of  liberty  and  life,  for  Christ's  sake,  when  called  thereunto, 
and  being  supported  by  his  power,  and  cheerfully  carried 
through  many  great  trials  and  deep  suife rings  for  his 
name's  sake,  and  having  had  many  eminent  deliverances 
aud  preservations,  even  from  my  young  years ;  I  say, 
considering  these  things,  I  have  been  the  more  concerned 
for  my  friends  and  brethren,  who  for  conscience  sake 
deeply  suffered  by  imprisonment  and  spoil  of  goods  ;  and 
in  the  tender  bowels  of  Christ  Jesus  have  truly  sym- 
pathized Avith  the  faithful  in  their  sufferings  and  afflictions 
and  in  his  love  been  many  times  stirred  up  to  plead  their 
innocent  cause  before  authority,  as  well  as  to  solicit  with 
great  industry  on  their  behalf;  wherein  the  hand  of  the 
Lord  has  been  often  with  .me. —  George  Whitehead. 


When  I  come  with  troubled  heart, 
Jesu!*  bids  me  not  depart 

Till  he  ptills  it.  —Jane  Crewdson. 


136  DAILY   KEADIXGS.  [Fifth  Month  IS. 

•'  For  other  foundation  can  i.o  man  \ay  than  that  is  laid,  which  is  Jcsii8 
Chriet."— 1  Cor  iii.  11. 

SHALL  I  once  more  greet  you  with  the  kiiiguage  of 
affectionate  encouragement  ?  Though  the  sun  m 
the  visible  firmament  be  in  eclipse,  it  is  not  lost.  The 
creative  Power  that  gave  it  for  an  external  light  remains 
the  same ;  even  the  universal  Father  of  mankind,  good, 
very  good  to  all  who  seek  aright  to  know  and  to  obey 
Him,  as  his  truly  dependent  children.  lie  who  set  the  visi- 
ble sun  in  the  sky,  has  not  left  his  rational  creation,  formed 
for  immortality,  without  a  witness  in  the  heart,  as  the 
Scriptures  amply  testify.  What  indeed  should  we  do,  if 
left  to  doubtful  disputation  !  If  the  true  light  in  the  soul 
become  darkness,  how  great  is  that  darkness !  AVatch 
and  pray  that  the  day-spring  from  on  high  may  again 
arise  upon  us  as  a  religious  Society,  somewhat  scattered 
and  shaken.  Possessing  our  souls  in  patience,  may  we 
have  compassion  one  for  another !  The  Foundation  stand- 
eth  sure,  though  there  may  be  builders  thereon  of  wood, 
hay,  and  stubble. 

Well,  my  dear  friends,  after  this  impremeditated  in- 
troduction, I  recur  to  what  first  arose  in  my  thoughts,  in 
viewing  you  as  contending  again  and  again  for  the 
faith,  or  unchanged  Truth  with  fidelity  and  unwearied 
diligence  !  O  !  it  is  a  blessed  tiling  to  be  docile,  humble 
learners  at  the  foot  of  the  cross.  The  Spirit  of  Truth 
will  guide  into  all  truth. — 3Ian/  Ccq:)2)e)\  1836. 


Fifth  Month  17.] 


DAILY    HEADINGS.  137 


"  Likewise  the  Spirit  also  helpeth  our  inflrinities ;  for  we  know  not  wliat  we 
sboukl  pray  for  as  we  onglit :  but  tlie  Spirit  itself  maketh  intercession  for  ns 
with  groanin^s  which  cannot  be  uttered."— Rom.  viii.  26. 

WHEN  I  was  about  eleven  years  of  age,  a  maid 
servant  who  tended  on  me  and  the  rest  of  the 
children,  would  read  Smith's  and  Preston's  sermons  First- 
day,  between  the  sermons.  I  heard  her  diligently  read,  and 
liking  not  to  use  the  Lord's  Prayer  only,  I  got  a  prayer- 
book  and  read  prayers,  morning  and  night,  according  to 
the  days  and  occasions. 

About  this  time  my  mind  was  serious  about  religion,  and 
one  day  after  we  came  from  public  worship,  this  fore- 
mentioned  maid  servant  read  one  of  Preston's  sermons 
on  the  text,  "  Pray  continually."  Much  was  said  of  the  ex- 
cellency of  prayer — that  it  distinguished  a  saint  from  the 
world ;  for  that  in  many  things  the  world  and  hypocrites 
could  imitate  a  saint,  but  in  prayer  they  could  not. 
This  wrought  much  in  my  mind,  and  it  seemed  plain  to 
me  that  I  knew  not  right  prayer  ;  for  what  I  used  as  a 
prayer,  an  ungodly  man  might  do  by  reading  it  out  of  a 
book,  and  that  could  not  be  the  prayer  which  distin- 
guished a  saint  from  a  wicked  one. 

As  soon  as  she  had  done  reading  and  all  gone  out  of 
the  chamber,  I  shut  the  door,  and  in  great  distress  flung 
myself  on  the  bed  and  oppressedly  cried  out  aloud,  "  Lord, 
what  is  prayer  ?  "  At  this  time  I  had  never  heard  any, 
nor  of  any  that  prayed  otherwise  than  by  reading  or 
by  composing  and  writing  a  prayer,  which  they  called 
a  form  of  prayer. — Mary  Proude^  England,  1635. 


138  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Fifth  Month  18 


*'  As  newborn  babes,  desire  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word,  that  ye  may  {jrow 
thei*eby.    If  so  be,  ye  have  tasted  that  the  Lord  is  gracious."—!  Peter  ii.  2,  3. 

IT  came  into  ray  mind  to  write  a  prayer  of  my  own 
composing,  to  use  in  the  mornings.  So  I  w^rote  a 
])rayer,  though  I  then  could  scarcely  join  ray  letters,  I  had 
so  little  a  time  learned  to  write.  It  was  something  of 
tliis  nature:  that  as  the  Lord  commanded  the  Israelites 
to  offer  up  a  morning  sacrifice,  so  I  offered  up  the  sacri- 
fice of  prayer,  and  desired  to  be  preserved  during  that 
day.  The  use  of  this  for  a  time  gave  me  some  ease,  and 
I  soon  left  off  using  my  books,  and  as  the  feelings  arose 
in  me,  I  wrote  prayers  according  to  my  several  occasions. 

The  time  when  this  circurastance  took  place,  was  when 
the  spirit  of  Puritanism  began  to  be  manifested  in  the 
Churches.  The  reading  of  the  common  prayers  of  the 
Church  of  England  Prayer-book,  both  in  public  and  private 
worship,  was  one  of  the  practices  to  which  these  Puritans 
— as  they  were  in  ridicule  called — objected. 

The  next  prayer  I  wrote  was  for  an  assurance  of  pardon 
for  ray  sins.  I  had  heard  one  preach,  how  God  had  par- 
doned David  his  sins  of  His  free  grace  ;  and  as  I  carae  from 
our  place  of  w^orship,  I  felt  how  desirable  a  thing  to  be 
assured  of  the  pardon  of  one's  sins  ;  so  I  wrote  a  pretty 
large  prayer  concerning  it. 

I  felt  a  fear  of  being  puffed  up  with  praise,  as  several 
persons  had  praised  me  for  the  greatness  of  my  memory ; 
so  I  wrote  a  prayer  of  thanks  for  the  gift  of  memory  and 
expressed  my  desires  to  use  it  to  the  Lord. — 3fary 
Proude,  1635. 


Fifth  Month  19.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  139 


•'  Rejoice  evermore.  Pray  without  ceasing.  Quench  not  the  Spirit." — 1  Thess. 
V.  1(5,  17, 19. 

THESE  three  prayers  I  used  with  some  ease  of  mind 
for  a  time,  but  not  long ;  for  I  began  again  to 
([uestion  whether  I  prayed  right  or  not.  I  knew  not 
then  that  any  did  pray  extern jiore,  but  it  sprang  up  in 
my  mind  that  to  use  words  according  to  the  sense  I  was 
in  of  my  wants,  was  true  prayer,  which  I  attempted  to 
do,  but  could  not ;  sometimes  kneeling  down  a  long  time, 
but  had  not  a  word  to  say. 

This  wrought  great  trouble  in  me,  and  I  had  none  to 
reveal  myself  to,  or  advise  with,  but  bore  a  great  burden 
about  it  on  my  mind ;  till  one  day  as  I  was  sitting  at  work 
in  the  parlor,  a  gentleman  who  was  against  the  supersti- 
tions of  the  times  came  in,  and  looking  sorrowful,  said, 
"  it  was  a  sad  day."  This  was  soon  after  Prynne,  Bost- 
wick,  and  Burton  were  sentenced  to  have  their  ears  cut, 
and  to  be  imprisoned.  It  sunk  deep  into  my  spirit,  and 
strong  cries  were  within  me  for  them,  and  for  the  inno- 
cent people  in  the  nation.  It  wrought  so  strongly  in  me, 
that  I  could  not  sit  at  my  work,  but  left  it  and  went  into 
a  private  room,  and  shutting  the  door,  kneeled  down  and 
poured  out  my  soul  to  the  Lord  in  a  very  vehement  man 
ner,  and  was  wonderfully  melted  and  eased.  I  then  felt 
peace  and  acceptance  with  the  Lord,  and  was  sure  that 
this  was  prayer  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  which  I  never  was 
acquainted  with  .before,  either  in  myself  or  any  one  else. 
— Mary  Proude,  1637. 


14:0  DAILY    HEADINGS. 


[Fifth  Moxth  20. 


"  Sayiug,  surely  blessing  I  will  bless  ihee,  and  multiplying  I  will  multiply 
thee."— Ileb.  vi.  14. 

I  MINDED  not  those  marriages  that  were  propounded 
to  me  by  A^ain  persons,  but  having  desired  of  the 
Lord  that  I  might  have  one  that  feared  Him,  I  liad  a  be- 
lief, though  then  I  knew  none  of  my  own  outAvard  rank 
tliat  such  was  an  one,  tliat  the  Lord  would  provide  one 
for  mc. 

In  this  belief  I  continued,  not  regarding  the  reproaches 
of  them  that  said  to  me.  No  gentleman,  none  but  mean 
persons,  were  of  this  way,  and  that  I  would  mai-ry  some 
mean  one  or  other.  They  were  disappointed  in  that,  for 
the  Lord  touched  the  heart  of  him  who  was  afterwards 
my  husband,  and  my  heart  cleaved  to  him  for  the  Lord's 
sake.  This  was  William  Springett.  As  his  uncle.  Sir 
Thomas  Springett,  was  his  guardian,  it  is  j)robable  the 
nephew  had  his  uncle's  house  as  a  second  home,  and  thus 
been  entirely  removed  from  the  scene  of  Mary's  trials 
when  they  were  most  bitterly  felt.  It  doubtless  was 
through  the  influence  of  his  uncle,  who  was  a  steady  roy- 
alist, that  William  Springett  was  knighted  by  the  King 
at  a  very  early  age. 

He  asked  Mary  to  give  him  the  right  to  protect  and 
shield  her,  to  which  she  consented,  for  to  her  great  joy 
she  found  what  she  scarcely  ventured  to  hope  or  expect, 
tliat  his  religious  feelings,  notwithstanding  the  adverse 
society  to  which  his  London  life  had  been  exposed,  cor- 
responded very  nearly  with  her  own.  They  were  mar 
ried  a  few  months  aftei*. — From  Penns  and  Penlngtons. 


Fifth  Mo.vth.21.] 


DAILY    EEAbiJNUS.  l4l 


**  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright :  for  the  end  of  that  man  is 
peace."— Psalm  xxxvii.  37. 

OH !  that  all  would  abide  under  the  power  of  the 
cross. — I  have  had  a  very  sweet  view  of  the  com- 
ing of  Christ  in  the  heart,  as  it  were  the  appearance  of 
a  new-born  babe,  tender,  delicate.  We  must  keep  Christ 
in  view  constantly.  Watch  carefully  not  to  wound  or 
grieve  Him.  Nothing  we  can  do  for  ourselves  will  avail 
anything,  all  must  be  through  Illin  alone.  Be  wise,  be 
wise,  seek  the  tnith,  it  will  adorn  you  with  that  which 
no  man  can  give  ;  oh,  it  is  glorious  ! 

I  would  not  change  my  situation  (now  on  my  death- 
bed) for  a  thousand  worlds,  no,  not  to  be  King  or  Em- 
peror ;  the  glitter  and  pomp  of  this  world,  oh  !  it  is  less 
than  nothing.  If  I  die  now,  I  die  in  peace  with  all  men, 
even  mine  enemies  (if  I  have  any).  Oh  my  soul,  bless  the 
Lord,  and  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  His  holy  name. 
My  children,  I  desire  you  may  be  often  at  the  feet  of 
Jesus,  that  you  may  be  an  example  to  your  children, 
having  them  go  to  meetings,  and  going  with  them. 
Keep  up  your  week-day  meetings  :  leave  your  business 
to  attend  them.  I  have  never  missed  a  meeting  when  I 
was  in  health,  for  fifty  years ;  only  two  week-day  meet- 
ings I  remember  missing  in  my  life,  on  account  of  busi- 
ness. When  you  go  to  meeting,  have  your  mind  staid 
on  God,  and  if  you  thus  wait  on  Him,  you  will  find  a 
sweetness  in  it,  that  nothing  else  can  give, —  George 
Howland,  aged  VO,  1852. 


142  DAILY    KEADTXGS. 


[Fifth  Month  22 


"Hove  them  that  love  me;  and  those  that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me."'— 
Prov.  viii.  17, 

MY  heart  from  childhood  was  pointed  towards  tht 
Lord,  whom  I  feared  and  longed  after  from  m\ 
tender  years.  I  felt  I  could  not  be  satisfied  with,  noi 
i.i  Iced  seek  after  the  things  of  this  perishing  world,  but 
I  desired  a  true  sense  of,  and  unity  witli,  that  which 
abideth  for  ever.  There  was  sometliing  still  within  me 
which  leavened  and  balanced  my  spirit  continually,  but  I 
knew  it  not  distinctly  so  as  to  turn  to  it,  and  give  up  to 
it  entirely  and  understandingly. 

In  this  temper  of  mind  I  earnestly  sought  after  the 
Lord,  applying  myself  to  hear  sermons  and  to  read  the 
best  books  I  could  meet  with,  but  especially  the  Scrip- 
tures, which  were  very  sweet  and  savory  to  me.  Yea, 
I  earnestly  desired  and  pressed  after  knowledge  of  the 
Scriptures,  but  was  much  afraid  of  receiving  men's  inter- 
pretations upon  them  myself;  but  waited  much,  and 
prayed  much,  that  from  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  I  might 
receive  the  true  understanding  of  them,  and  that  He 
should  endue  me  with  that  knowledge  which  I  might  feel 
sanctifying  and  saving. 

And  indeed  I  did  sensibly  receive  of  His  love,  of  His 
mercy,  and  of  His  grace,  and  at  seasons  when  I  was  most 
filled  with  the  sense  of  my  own  unworthiness,  and  had 
least  expectation  of  manifestations  of  them. — Isaac  Pen- 
ington,  1658. 

I  dwell  among  my  own  people. 


Fifth  Month  23]  DAILY   KKADLNG.^.  143 


*'Como,  and  let  u.«  join  ourse'ves  to  the  Lord  in  tho  perpetual  covenant  thai 
shall  not  be  forgotten."— Jer.  1.  5. 


THE  unsatisfied  feeling  with  regard  to  spiritual  com- 
munion witli  God,  wliich  for  so  many  years 
was  endured  both  by  Isaac  Penington  and  his  wife,  does 
not  appear  to  have  arisea  out  of,  or  to  have  been  accom- 
panied by,  a  sense  of  unforgiving  sin. 

Circumstances  indicate  that  in  both  cases  the  Lord 
was  leaving  them  to  pass  through  necessary  experiences, 
untd  that  degree  of  insight  w^as  ac(piired  wliich  prepared 
them  to  fill  tlieir  allotted  positions  in  the  churcli. 

Isaac  Penington  became  an  eminent  preacher  of  the 
Gospel  among  the  Friends,  and  also  an  indefatigabh? 
writer.  He  was  ever  ready  to  put  forth  his  literary 
powers  and  gentle  persuasive  influence  in  defense  of 
that  spiritual  religion  and  gospel  truth  which  lias  brought 
so  much  comfort  to  his  own  soul.  Mary  Penington 
seems  to  have  been  in  an  especial  manner  fitted  to  be  a 
true  helpmate  to  him  ;  her  practical  business  capacity 
supplying  what  was  less  active  in  him.  Unitedly  they 
went  forward  with  abiding  trust  in  their  Heavenly 
Father's  love  and  care,  their  spiritual  life  being  made 
strong  in  the  Lord.  To  the  enquiry,  years  after  he  had 
joined  the  Friends,  if  he  were  yet  truly  satisfied  with  the 
spiritual  privileges  he  enjoyed,  Isaac  Penington  replied, 
"  Yes  indeed  ;  "  I  am  satisfied  at  the  very  heart.  Truly 
my  heart  is  now  united  to  Him  whom  I  longed  after,  in 
an  everlasting  covenant  of  pure  life  and  peace. — Pe7ins 
and  Peningtons^  \Q6^, 


144  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Fifth  Month  34. 


"  That  ye  be  not  slothful,  but  followers  of  them  who  through  faith  and  pa 
tlence  inherit  the  promise?."— Hebrews  ri.  12. 

I  HAVE  been  reading  and  have  just  finished  the 
journal  of  the  life  and  religious  labors  of  Mary 
^Vlexander.  I  have  not  read  very  many  of  the  journals 
of  deceased  friends,  but  from  those  which  I  have  read, 
there  has  been  impressed  upon  rae  many  an  instnictive 
lesson.  It  is  in  such  accounts  that  we  gain  that  treasure 
of  experience,  which,  without  books  or  writings,  would 
be  only  attainable  by  the  aged.  We  see  from  these  naiTa- 
tives,  at  one  comprehensive  view,  the  importance,  the 
value,  the  object,  and  the  end  of  human  life.  The  trav- 
elers whose  pilgrimages  are  described,  seem  to  traverse 
their  course  again  under  our  inspection  :  we  follow  them 
through  their  turnings  and  windings — through  their 
difficulties,  discouragements,  and  dangers — through  the 
heights  of  rejoicing,  and  depths  of  desolation,  to  which 
in  youth,  in  age,  in  poverty,  in  riches,  under  all  conditions 
and  circumstances,  they  have  been  subject.  From  these 
accounts,  we  learn  the  many  liabilities  which  sun*ound 
us,  and  we  may  (unless  through  wilful  blindness,)  une- 
quivocally discover  whei'e  the  true  rest  and  peace  is  to  be 
found,  and  in  what  consists  the  only  security,  strength, 
and  sure  standing.  O  I  how  loudly  do  the  lives  nnd 
deaths  of  these  worthies  preach  to  us;  they  being  dead 
do  indeed  yet  speak,  exhorting  and  entreating  that  we 
who  still  survive  may  lay  hold  and  keep  hold  of  those 
things  in  which  alone  they  could  derive  any  comfort  in 
the  end. — John  Barclay ^  1817. 


Fifth  Month  25.] 


DAILY    READrNGS.  145 


"  Search  me,  O  God,  and  know  ray  heart :  try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts,  and 
see  if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting." 
— Paalm  cxxxix.  23,  34. 

YARIOUS  States,  we  must  expect  to  experience,  aiul 
not  a  few  of  suffering,  I  believe,  if  ever  we  come 
to  know  a  steady  progression  in  the  right  way.  There 
is  so  much  to  be  reduced  in  us,  before  we  can  advance 
happily  in  the  "  path  which  no  fowl  knowetli,"  and  so 
much  to  oppose  our  entrance  into  it,  both  from  our  own 
wayward  nature,  and  the  aspect  of  things  without,  that 
we  are  at  times  ready  to  fear  the  anchor  will  not  be  kept ; 
but  this  will  not  do,  we  must  endeavor  to  lay  fast  hold 
of  the  hope  that  is  set  before  us,  and  commit  ourselves 
to  the  care  of  the  good  shepherd.  Oh  !  can  anything  be 
lost  that  is  in  his  keeping  ?  but  the  great  thing  is,  to  be 
willing  that  he  should  keep  us, — that  he  should  lead  us 
wherever  and  into  whatsoever  he  pleases,  even  to  the 
death  of  everything  that  self  delights  to  feed  upon,  Hap- 
py are  they  who  are  subject,  completely  subject,  to  the 
forming  hand  !  May  this  be  more  and  more  our  experience, 
and  then  in  the  abasement  of  the  creature,  divine  grace 
will  have  the  victory.  Surely  we  ought  to  welcome  every 
suffering,  that  may  be  made  instrumental  to  be  so  blessed 
!i  result — Oh,  then,  may  we  yield  ourselves,  fully,  passive- 
ly, unreservedly  to  the  discipline  of  the  divine  hand ; 
accounting  it  an  unspeakable  favor  to  be  chastened  by 
one  who  knoweth  our  frame,  and  remembereth  that  we 
are  dust. — Maria  Middleton.  London,  1825. 


146  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Fifth  Month  2& 


"  God  is  a  Spirit :  and  they  that  worship  him  must  worship  him  in  spirit  and 
In  truth."  —John  iv.  24. 

THE  true  God  is  a  Spirit,  and  is  infinite,  eternal,  and 
everlasting,  the  Creator  of  all  things,  the  life  and 
heing  of  all  things,  the  power  by  which  all  things  stand. 
All  creatures  have  a  being  in  him;  and  by  him  and  with- 
out him  no  creature  is,  or  doth  move  upon  the  faceof  iIk* 
earth.  This  is  He  whom  we  worship,  and  fear,  and  obey, 
and  he  brings  to  pass  by  his  counsel  whatsoever  he  will, 
and  nothing  can  prevent  the  purpose  of  his  mind, 
but  his  counsel  stands  for  ever.  He  is  the  righteous 
judge  of  all  things,  and  before  him  must  all  mankind 
come  to  judgment,  and  the  living  and  the  dead  by  him 
must  be  judged:  he  is  a  rewarder  of  every  one  according 
to  their  deeds,  whether  they  be  good  or  whether  thoy, 
be  evil.  His  greatness,  power,  majesty  and  dominion 
are  over  all  and  beyond  all,  ruling  above  all  in  the 
power  of  his  own  will,  and  who  may  say,  what  doest 
thou  ?  His  eye  seeth  all,  and  his  presence  filleth  all,  and 
no  creature  can  be  hid  from  his  sight ;  he  is  near  at  hand 
and  afar  off;  he  searchest  man's  heart  and  trieth  the 
reins,  and  shows  unto  man  his  own  thoughts ;  he  justifi- 
eth  the  righteous  and  condemneth  the  wicked.  He  is  light 
itself,  and  in  him  is  no  darkness  at  all.  This  is  the  true 
God  whom  we  worship. — Edward  Bmrough^  London, 
1657. 

Our  prayers  must  be  powerful,  and  our  worship  grateful.— TTm.  Penn. 


Fifth  Month  27.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  147 


"  But  let  your  communication  be  Yea,  yea,  Nay,  nay,  for  whatsoever  is  more 
than  these  cometh  of  evil."— Matt.  v.  37. 

AND  now,  dear  friends  and  bi-ethren,  in  all  your 
words,  in  your  business  and  employments,  have  a 
care  of  breaking  your  word  and  promises  to  any  people ; 
but  that  you  may  consider  before-hand,  whether  you 
may  be  able  to  perform  and  fulfill  both  your  words  and 
promises,  that  your  yea  be  yea,  and  nay,  nay,  in  all 
things ;  which  Christ  hath  set  up  instead  of  an  oath,  yea, 
above  an  oath  and  swearing,  in  His  new  covenant  and 
testament. 

So  let  none  make  any  promise,  or  speak  yea,  yea,  or 
nay,  nay,  rashly,  which  they  cannot  perform :  for  such 
kind  of  inconsiderate  and  rash  speaking  is  not  in  the 
everlasting  covenant  of  life,  light,  and  grace ;  take  heed, 
lest  ye  be  numbered  among  the  covenant-breakers  spoken 
of,  Rom.  i.  31,  and  such  truce-breakers  as  the  Apostle 
speaks  of,  2  Tim,  iii,  "  which  have  a  form  of  godliness, 
but  deny  the  power  thereof,  from  such  turn  away,"  said 
the  apostle.  And  therefore  they  that  deny  the  power 
of  godliness  will  not  be  faithful  to  God  nor  man ;  and 
such  cannot  exercise  a  good  conscience  to  God,  in  obedi- 
ence to  Him,  nor  to  man,  to  perform  that  which  is  just, 
righteous,  and  honest. 

And  David  said  :  "  Who  shall  abide  in  thy  tabernacle : 
and  who  shall  dwell  in  thy  holy  will  ?  He  that  walketh 
uprightly,  and  worketh  righteousness,  and  speaketh  the 
truth  in  his  heart." — George  Fox^  1682. 


14B  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Fifth  Month  J 


"For  in  him  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being." — Acts  xvii.  28. 

AND  now  having  your  food  from  Christ,  and  God 
your  Father :  yea,  your  bread,  your  milk,  your 
water,  your  wine,  your  honey,  your  fine  linen,  your  cloth- 
ing, your  breath,  your  life,  your  souls,  and  the  image  of 
God,  which  He  made  you  in,  which  man  and  woman  have 
lost  by  transgression,  but  are  to  be  renewed  into  again 
by  Christ,  your  Kedeemer,  Sanctifier,  Reconciler,  and 
Mediator,  who  makes  your  peace  between  you  and  God ; 
from  whom  you  have  your  light,  grace  and  truth,  who 
gives  you  his  Gospel,  faith  and  spirit ;  in  whose  name 
you  have  salvation,  and  not  by  any  other  name  under  the 
whole  heaven  ;  and  who  is  your  heavenly,  spiritual  Rock 
and  Foundation  ;  cannot  you  train  up  all  your  children  in 
the  fear  of  God,  and  tell  them  from  whence  you  have  all 
these  good  things,  that  they  may  come  to  receive  of  all 
these  good  things  which  you  receive  from  the  good  God, 
and  Christ,  the  treasure  of  wisdom  and  knowledge ;  that 
you  may  say,  the  children  of  your  children  are  the  crown 
of  your  old  men  in  the  truth,  and  the  glory  of  their 
fathers  in  God  ;  and  that  you  may  say,  your  wives  are  as 
fruitful  vines  by  the  sides  of  your  house,  and  your  chil- 
dren like  olive  plants  round  about  your  table ;  thus  shall 
they  be  blessed  that  fear  the  Lord ;  that  you  may  say, 
your  sons  are  plants  of  God,  growing  up  in  their  youth  ; 
and  that  your  daughters  may  be  as  corner-stones,  pol- 
ished after  the  similitude  of  a  palace. —  George  Fox^  1679. 


Fn-TH  Month  29.]  DAILY    READINGS.  149 

"And  he  paid  unto  them,  eet  your  heart  unto  all  the  words  which  I  te-tify 
imong  you  this  day,  which  ye  shall  command  your  children  to  observe  to  do." 
—Deuteronomy  xxxii.  46- 

AND  Friends,  some  among  you  train  up  your  children 
in  such  a  rude,  heady  way,  that  when  they  grow 
ip,  they  do  not  matter  you,  nor  care  for  you  ;  so  they  are 
not  a  blessing  and  a  comfort  to  you  ;  but  in  many  things 
they  are  worse  than  many  of  the  world's  more  loose, 
stubborn,  and  disobedient :  so  that  when  they  come  to  be 
set  apprentices,  many  times  they  run  quite  out  into  the 
world.  Truth  brings  more  into  humility  and  meekness, 
and  gentleness  and  tenderness. 

And  therefore,  by  the  power,  and  life,  and  wisdom  of 
God,  these  things  you  must  take  notice  of  that  all  such 
may  be  brought  into,  and  kept  in,  subjection  by  the  power 
of  God,  that  God  may  be  honored  and  glorified,  through 
breaking  of  the  stubborn  will  in  them,  and  subjecting 
them  to  Truth ;  and  let  them  all  know  their  places,  and 
not  to  give  way  tq  tliat  which  may  get  over  you  ;  so  that 
you  will  not  know  how  to  rule  them  at  last,  and  ihey 
will  bring  a  grief,  and  sorrow,  and  trouble  upon  you,  as 
too  many  examples  may  be  seen.     *     *     * 

And  in  the  power  and  life  and  Avisdom  of  God  you 
will  bring  up  and  govern  your  sons  and  daughters  and 
servants,  and  cause  them  to  keep  in  their  places  ;  for  an 
outward  father  and  mother,  over  their  families,  are  to 
keep  all  things  that  are  outward,  civil  and  subject  in  their 
places  with  reason  and  true  wisdom. —  George  Fox^  16V0. 


150  DAILY   KE APINGS. 


[FirTH  Month  oO 


"  In  him  was  life:  and  the  life  was  the  light  of  men.  And  the  light  ehineth 
in  darkness ;  and  the  darkness  comprehended  it  not." — John  i.  4,  5. 

DEAR  Friends,  mind  the  Liglit  of  God  in  your  con 
sciences,  which  will  show  you  all  deceit.  God 
is  not  the  author  of  confusion,  but  of  peace.  All  jar- 
rings,  all  schism,  all  rents,  are  out  of  the  Spirit,  for  God 
hath  tempered  the  body  together,  that  there  should  be 
no  schism  in  the  body,  but  all  worship  Him  with  one 
consent.     *     *     * 

And  beware  of  discouraging  any  in  the  work  of  God. 
The  laborers  are  few  that  are  faithful  for  God.  Take  heed 
of  hurting  the  gift  which  God  hath  given  to  profit  withal, 
whereby  ye  have  received  life  through  death,  and  a 
measure  of  peace  by  destruction  of  evil.  Pray  that  peace 
may  be  multiplied,  and  the  ministration  of  life,  to  the 
raising  of  the  dead,  that  the  seed  of  the  woi/ian  may 
hruise  the  serpenfs  head,  discover  all  deceit,  and  rend  all 
veils  and  coverings,  that  the  pure  may  come  to  life,  which 
deceit  hath  trampled  upon.  And  all  take  heed  to  your 
spirits  ;  that  which  is  hasty,  discerns  not  the  good  Seed, 
Take. heed  of  being  corrupted  by  flatteries;  they  that 
know  their  God,  shall  be  strong.  And  therefore  all  mind 
your  gift,  mind  your  measure;  mind  your  calling  and 
vourwork.  Some  speak  to  the  conscience;  some  plough 
:iiid  break  the  clods;  some  weed  out,  and  some  sow; 
some  wait,  that  fowls  devour  not  the  seed.  But  wait  all 
for  the  gathering  of  the  simple  hearted  ones ;  for  tJiey 
that  turn  many  to  righteousness^  shall  shine  for  ever. — 
George  Fox,  1651. 


Fu-TH  MosTTU  31.]  DAILY   READINGS.  151 

"And  be  not  conformed  to  this  w^rld,  but  be  ye  transformed  by  the  renewing 
of  your  mind."— Itom.  xii.  2. 

KEEP  out  of  the  vain  fashions  of  the  world;  let 
not  your  eyes,  and  minds,  and  spirit  run  after 
every  fashion  in  apparel ;  for  that  Avill  lead  you  from  tlic 
solid  life  unto  unity  with  that  spirit  that  leads  to  follow 
the  fashions  of  the  nations.  But  mind  that  which  is 
sober  and  modest,  and  keep  your  plain  fashions,  that 
therein  you  may  judge  the  world,  whose  minds  and  ey»  s 
are  in  what  they  shall  put  on,  and  wljat  they  shall  eat. 

But  keep  all  in  modesty,  and  plainness,  and  fervency, 
and  sincerity,  and  bo  circumspect ;  for  they  that  follow 
those  things  that  the  world's  spirit  invents  daily,  cannot 
be  solid.  Therefore  all  keep  down  that  spirit  of  the 
world  that  runs  into  so  many  fashions,  to  please  the  lust  o  ' 
the  eye,  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  and  the  pride  of  life. 

And  let  your  minds  be  above  the  costly  and  vain  fash- 
ions of  attire,  but  mind  the  hidden  man  o''  the  heart, 
which  is  a  meek  and  a  quiet  spirit,  which  is  of  great  price 
with  the  Lord.  And  keep  to  justice  and  truth  in  all 
dealings  and  tradings,  at  a  word,  and  to  the  foi-ni 
of  -sound  words,  in  the  power  of  the  Lord  and  in 
equity,  in  yea  and  nay  in  all  your  dealings,  that  yonr 
lives  and  conversations  may  be  in  heaven,  and  above  the 
earth;  that  they  may  preach  to  all  that  you  have  t<. 
deal  with;  so  you  maybe  as  a  city  set  on  a  hill,  that 
cannot  be  hid,  and  as  lights  of  the  world,  answering  tlu* 
equal  principle  in  all ;  that  God  in  all  may  be  glorified. 
—  Georr/e  Fo2\  1067. 


152  DAILY    READINGS.  [SiXTH  Month  1. 

"  But  of  him  are  ye  in  Christ  Je«us,  who  of  God  is  made  unto  U8  wisdom,  an-J 
righteousness,  and  sanctification,  and  redemption."— 1  Cor.  i.  30, 

WHEREFORE,  O  Christendom !  believe,  receive, 
and  apply  Him  rightly ;  this  is  of  absolute  ne- 
cessity, that  thy  soul  may  live  for  ever  with  Him.  He 
told  the  Jews,  "  If  you  believe  not  that  I  am  he,  ye  shall 
tlie  in  your  sins  ;  and  whither  I  go  ye  cannot  come." 
And  because  they  believed  him  not,  they  did  not  re- 
ceive him  nor  any  benefit  by  Him :  but  they  that  believ- 
ed him,  received  Him:  "and  as  many  as  received  Him," 
his  own  beloved  disciple  tells  us,  "  to  them  gave  he  pow- 
er to  become  the  sons  of  God,  which  are  born  not  of 
blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  flesh,  nor  of  the  wdll  of  man, 
but  of  God."  That  is,  who  are  not  children  of  God  after 
the  fashions,  prescriptions,  and  traditions  of  men,  that 
call  themselves  his  church  and  people,  (which  is  not  af- 
ter the  will  of  flesh  and  blood,  and  the  invention  of  car- 
nal man,  unacquainted  with  the  regeneration  and  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,)  but  of  God  ;  that  is  according  to  his 
will,  and  the  working  and  sanctification  of  his  spirit,  and 
word  of  life  in  theni.  And  such  were  ever  w^ell  versed 
in  the  right  application  of  Christ,  for  he  was  made  to 
them  indeed  propitiation,  reconciliation,  salvation,  right- 
eousness, redemption,  and  justification. —  William  Penn. 

Oh  1  let  thy  grace  new  strength  supply, 
Oh  !  breathe  the  thought  that  comfort  gives. 

And  point  to  faith's  uplifted  eye, 
The  Lamb  that  died,  the  God  who  lives. 

—Amelia  Opie. 


Sixth  Month  2.]  DAILY    KP:ADmGS.  153 

"  The  Preacher  sought  to  find  out  acceptable  words :  and  that  which  was 
written  was  upright,  even  words  of  truth."— Eccl.  xii.  10. 

OUR  perceptions  of  truth  are  clear,  in  proportion  to 
our  freedom  from  the  basis  of  error    and    pre- 
judice. 

To  pursue  fashion  in  its  endless  changes,  may  be  com- 
pared to  chasing  a  bird  on  the  wing. 

It  was  odd  enough  of  the  thieves  who  robbed  the 
traveler,  to  tax  him  with  dishonesty  for  concealing  a 
part  of  his  money. 

Prejudice  is  like  a  flaw  in  a  mirror:  it  occasions  ob- 
jects to  be  presented  to  the  mind  in  distorted  forms. 

There  is  hardly  any  person  so  bad,  as  not  to  do  homage 
to  virtue  by  imitating  it  in  some  way  or  other. 

As  affluence  creates  independence,  it  naturally  inclines 
its  possessor  to  imperiousness,  and  impatience  of  contra- 
diction. 

Violent  blowing  at  a  small  fire,  is  as  likely  to  extin- 
guish as  to  increase  it. 

The  course  of  rashness  is  either  circuitously  or  di- 
rectly towards  ruin. 

In  traveling,  we  often  meet  with  rivulets,  brooks,  or 
rivers,  but  not  so  often  with  springs  of  pure  water. 

The  judgment  clarified  by  charity,  may  be  compared 
to  the  bee,  which  finds  honey  where  wasps  and  hornets 
gather  little  but  poison. —  George  Dillwyn. 


loi  DAILY    READINGS.  [Sixth  Month  3. 

"  Mine  hiTitageis  with  me  as  a  speckled  bird;  tlie  birds  around  about,  are 
against  her."— Jer.  xli,  9. 

SOME  unbelieving  person  may  query, Low  did  I  know 
that  the  subtle  adversary  had  put  on  the  appear- 
niice  of  an  angel  of  light,  and  had  deceived  me  ?  I  answer 
s.ich  in  the  words  of  our  blessed  Loi\i.  He  says;  "  My 
sheep  know  my  voice,  and  follow  me,  and  the  voice  of 
a  stranger  they  will  not  follow ! "  moreover  we  are 
desired  to  follow  after  the  things  which  make  for  peace, 
and  things  whereby  we  may  edify  one  another.  Now  I 
never  found  anything  but  peace  as  the  consequence  of  un- 
swerving obedience  in  these  particulars. 

I  united  in  religious  fellowship  with  those  with  whom 
I  have  since  continued  to  walk,  subject  to  many  scoffings 
and  mockings  from  some  of  my  kindred,  as  well  as  many 
others,  and  was  mercifully  enabled  to  not  turn  my  cheek 
from  the  smiter,  and  to  bear  them  for  his  sake,  who  suf- 
fered more  and  worse  from  sinful  and  perverse  men.  I 
rejoice  and  give  thanks  to  my  merciful  Redeemer,  that 
He  has  in  mercy  called  me  from  the  receipt  of  custom, 
and  has  given  me  a  portion  in  His  service,  and  fellow- 
ship with  his  people ;  and  I  write  these  things,  hopmg 
they  may  be  blessed  to  some  wayfaring  traveler,  in  the 
same  road,  that  they  may  become  as  way-marks  to  them, 
and  show  thereby  that  it  is  not  an  unbeaten  path,  but 
others  have  traveled  it  before  them,  and  found  safety. — 
John  Conron^  Dublin,  Ireland,  1773. 

It  is  no  sin  to  be  tempted,  but  to  be  overcome. 


Sixth  Month  4.] 


DAILY    KI:AT)Ix\GS.  155 


'•  For  the  word  of  God  is  quick  and  powerful,  and  sliarpor  than  any  two- 
odged  sword,  piercing  even  to  the  dividing  asunder  of  soul  and  spirit."— Heb. 
iv.  12. 

I  TRUST  thy  head  is  lifted  up  above  the  waters  of 
distress  and  despondency,  which  sometimes  ovtr- 
whehns  like  a  flood.  Why  it  hath  pleased  all-wiso 
I'rovidence  that  thy  outward  and  inward  frame  should 
he  of  such  delicate  texture,  and  that  thou  should  so 
often  be  afflicted  and  pained  beyond  many  others,  is 
among  the  secret  things  which  it  belongs  not  to  us 
to  investigate;  but,  no  doubt.  He  whose  thou  art  by 
creation  and  adoption  knows  that  such  a  conduct  towards 
thee  is  necessary  for  thee  altogether,  for  thy  preserva- 
ion,  establishment,  purification,  refinement,  humiliation, 
and  preparation  for  an  increase  and  further  fruitfulness 
of  spirit.  As  was  said  to  the  mother  of  our  Lord,  the 
begotten  of  the  Father,  yea,  a  sword  shall  pierce  through 
thy  own  soul  also,  that  the  thoughts  of  many  hearts 
may  be  revealed.  So  it  is  requisite  for  those,  whose  souls 
are  impregnated  and  made  prolific  by  the  Divine  Spirit, 
repeatedly  to  witness  that  Sword,  that  Word,  that  fiery 
law  to  do  its  office,  that  so  the  vessel  may  be  made 
clean,  and  kept  clean,  fit  to  contain  and  to  transmit  in  un- 
adulterated purity  the  precious  odors  and  sweet  incense 
which  it  may  be  honored  to  convey ;  and  the  more  simple, 
and  single,  and  weak,  and  foolish,  and  the  less  of  the  crea- 
turely  will  and  wisdom  any  have  about  them,  the  greater 
will  be  the  excellence  of  his  power. — Richard  Shackleton^ 
Ballitore,  Ireland,  1789. 


156  DAILY    READINGS.  [Sixth  Month  5. 

"  And  the  doors  shall  h ;  shut  in  the  streets,  when  the  soand  of  the  grinding 
is  low,  and  he  shall  rise  up  at  the  voice  of  the  bird,  and  all  the  daughters  of 
music  shall  be  brought  low."— Eccl.  xii.  5. 

MY"  mind  is  in  an  uncomfortable  state  this  morning ; 
for  I  am  astonished  to  find  I  have  felt  a  scruple 
at  music,  at  least  I  could  not  otherwise  account  for  my 
feelings ;  but  my  mind  is  rather  uneasy  after  I  have  been 
spending  time  in  it.  These  cannot  be  sensations  of 
my  own  making,  or  a  contrivance  of  my  own  forming, 
for  I  have  such  happiness  when  I  overcome  my  worldly 
self;  and  when  I  give  way  to  it,  am  uneasy ;  not  but 
what  I  think  feelings  are  sometimes  dangerous  to  give  way 
to ;  but  how  odd,  yet  how  true,  that  much  of  human  reason 
must  be  given  up.  I  don't  know  what  to  think  of  it,  but 
I  must  act  somehow,  and  in  some  -way ;  yet  do  nothing 
rashly  or  hastily,  but  try  to  humiliate  myself  to  true 
religion,  and  endeavor  to  look  to  God,  who  alone  can 
teach  me  and  lead  me  right ;  have  faith,  hope,  and  if  little 
things  are  to  follow  to  protect  greater  ones,  I  must,  yes, 
I  must  do  it,  I  feel  certainly  happier  in  being  a  Quaker, 
but  my  reason  contradicts  it.  N^ow  my  fears  are  these : 
lately  I  have  had  Quakerism  placed  before  me  in  a  very 
interesting  and  delightful  light ;  and  is  it  unlikely  that 
inclination  may  put  on  the  appearance  of  duty  ? — Elisa- 
beth Gurney^  1800. 

For  as  men  in  battle  are  continually  in  the  way  of  shot,  so  we  in  this  world 
are  ever  within  the  reach  of  temptation ;  and  herein  do  we  serse  God,  if  we 
avoid  what  we  are  forbid,  as  well  as  do  what  he  commands,— TFm.  Penn. 


Sixtn  Month  6.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  157 


"  Judge  not  according  to  the  appearance,  but  judge  righteous  judgment."— 
John  vil.  24. 

IN  the  condition  I  have  mentioned,  of  weary  seeking 
and  not  finding,  I  married  my  dear  Imsband  Isaac 
Penington.  My  love  was  drawn  to  him  because  I  found 
he  saw  the  deceit  of  all  mere  notions  about  religion  ;  he 
lay  as  one  that  refused  to  be  comforted  until  he  came  to 
His  temple,  who  is  truth  and  no  lie.  All  things  that  had 
only  the  appearance  of  religion,  were  very  manifest  to  him, 
so  that  he  was  sick  and  weary  of  show,  and  in  this  my 
heart  united  with  him,  and  a  desire  was  in  me  to  be  service- 
able to  him.     I  gave  up  much  to  be  a  companion  to  him. 

I  resolved  never  to  go  back  into  those  formal  things  I 
had  left,  having  found  death  and  darkness  in  them ;  but 
would  rather  be  without  a  religion,  until  the  Lord  mani- 
festly taught  me  one.  Many  times  when  alone,  did  I  rea- 
son thus : — Why  should  I  not  know  the  way  of  Divine 
life  ?  For  if  the  Lord  would  give  me  all  in  this  world,  it 
would  not  satisfy  me.  Nay,  I  could  cry  out,  I  care  not 
for  a  portion  in  this  life;  give  it  to  those  who  care  for  it  : 
I  am  miserable  with  it.  It  is  acceptance  with  God,  ol 
which  I  once  had  a  sense,  that  I  desire,  and  that  alone 
can  satisfy  me. 

Whilst  I  was  in  this  state,  I  heard  of  a  new  people  called 
Quakers,  but  I  resolved  not  to  inquire  after  them,  noi 
iheir  principles.  I  heard  nothing  of  their  ways  except 
that  they  used  thee  and  thou  to  every  one ;  and  I  saw  a 
book  wiitten  about  plain  language  by  George  Fox. — 
Mary  Penington^  1650. 


15vS  DAILY    RKADIXGS. 


[Sixth  Month  T 


"  Take  my  yo  e  upon  you,  and  learn  of  me :  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  in  heart . 
and  ye  8hall  find  rest  unto  your  aoule."— Matthew  xi.  29. 

DURING  the  mental  struggles  above  alluded  to, 
Mary  Peuington  does  not  appear  to  have  sought 
or  maintained  any  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  Friends, 
<►!•  to  have  made  a  practice  of  attending  their  meetings ; 
but  it  is  most  probable  she  had  been  reading  some  of  tlieir 
writings,  after  she  had  given  up  all  her  worldly  reasoning 
against  the  pointing  of  her  own  enlightened  conscience. 

She  adds,  '^  I  then  received  strength  to  attend  the  meet- 
ings of  this  despised  people,  which  Iliad  intended  never  to 
meddle  with.  I  found  they  were  truly  of  the  Lord,  and 
my  heart  owned  and  honored  them.  I  then  longed  to  be 
one  of  them,  and  minded  not  the  cost  nor  pain;  but 
judged  it  would  be  well  worth  my  utmost  cost  and  pains 
to  witness  in  myself  such  a  change  as  I  saw  in  them — 
such  power  over  the  evil  of  human  nature.  In  taking  up 
the  cross,  I  received  strength  against  many  things  that  I 
once  thought  it  not  possible  to  deny  myself.  But  oh  I 
the  joy  that  filled  my  soul  at  the  first  meeting  held  in  our 
habitation  at  Chalfont.  To  this  day  I  have  a  fresh  re- 
membi-ance  of  it,  and  of  the  sense  the  Lord  gave  me  of 
llis  presence  and  ability  to  worship  Him  in  that  spirit 
which  was  undoubtedly  His  own. 

Oh!  long  had  I  desired  to  worship  Him  in  the  full 
assurance  of  acceptation,  and  to  lift  up  my  hands  and 
heart  without  doubting,  which  I  experienced  that  day 
— Marif  Peningten,  1658. 


Sixth  Month  8.]  DAILY   READINGS.  159 

"  Blessed  are  the  meek;  for  they  shall  inherit  the  earth."— Matt.  v.  5. 

AGAIN,  pious  souls  cannot  but  mourn  for  the  sins 
and  abominations  of  the  times,  vvhicli  are  a  great 
exercise  to  them,  and  affect  them  with  sorrow  and  mourn- 
ing ;  but  they  are  comforted  with  blessed  promises,  which 
the  Holy  Ghost,  at  times,  immediately  applies  to  their 
souls,  as  recorded  in  the  holy  Scripture  ;  and  let  it  be  re- 
membered, that  all  our  good  times  are  in  the  hands  of  the 
Lord.  It  is  recorded  in  the  holy  Scripture,  that  God 
would  have  his  people  comfortably  spoken  to  ;  and  that 
he  would  "  give  them  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for 
mourning,  and  the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of 
heaviness ; "  that  they  might  be  called  trees  of  right- 
eousness, the  planting  of  the  Lord,  that  he  might  be 
glorified. 

Be  not  high-minded,  saith  one  of  his  servants ;  and 
another  saith,  God  resisteth  the  proud,  but  giveth  grace 
to  the  humble.  Again,  "  The  meek  will  he  teach  his 
way,  and  the  meek  will  he  guide  in  judgment ;  "  as  the 
holy  Scripture  witnesseth.  Well  said  our  holy  Saviour, 
that  the  meek  should  be  blessed ;  grace  is  given  to  them, 
and  God  is  their  teacher  and  their  guide  in  judgment ; 
a  most  blessed  gift,  teacher,  and  guide.  It  is  a  great 
blessing  indeed,  to  receive  grace  from  Almighty  God,  to 
be  taught  his  ways,  and  to  have  the  holy  One  to  be  our 
guide  in  judgment.  He  who  has  all  power  in  heaven 
and  in  earth  committed  says  that  the  meek  "  shall  in- 
herit the  earth." — Thomas  Chalkly, 


160  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Sixth  Month  9. 


"  Those  that  be  planted  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  shall  flourish  in  the  courts 
of  our  God."— Psalm  xcii.  13. 

ON  reading  over  my  old  journals,  it  has  led  me  to 
admire  how  some  of  my  early  prayers  and  de- 
sires have  been  answered  ;  how  gradual  has  been  the 
arising  and  opening  of  Divine  Power  in  my  heart.  How 
much  has  occurred  to  strengthen  my  weak  faith,  and 
doubting,  fearful  heart ;  how^  much  has  been  done  for  me, 
and  how  little  have  I  done  for  myself;  and  how  mucli 
have  I  rebelled,  except  in  the  day  of  power ;  how  often 
unwatchful ;  yet  in  mercy,  how  has  help  been  adminis- 
tered, even  a  willing  heart,  which  I  consider  an  unspeak- 
able gift ;  but  I  think  I  should  have  flourished  better, 
and  grown  stronger  by  this  time,  had  I  more  fully  and 
more  faithfully  followed  the  Lamb  whithersoever  He 
goeth.  My  heart's  desire  and  prayer  for  myself,  above 
everything  else,  is,  that  this  may  be  more  entirely  done 
by  me.  Oh  Lord  !  be  pleased  still  to  carry  on  Thy  own 
work  in  me,  until  Thou  hast  made  me  what  Thou  would 
est  have  me  to  be ;  even  entirely  Thy  servant,  in  thought, 
word,  and  deed  !  Thou  only  knowest  my  weakness  and 
fear  of  suffering ;  when  in  Thine  infinite  wisdom  Thou 
mayst  see  meet  to  afflict,  be  pleased  to  mix  mercy  with 
judgment,  and  uphold  me  by  Thine  own  power  ;  I  thank 
t]iee  for  all  Thy  benefits  towards  me;  I  desire  to  prove 
rny  gratitude  by  my  love  and  good  works.  O  Lord! 
enable  me  so  to  do ! — Elisabeth  Gurney  Fry,  aged  33. 


Sixth  Month  10.] 


DAILY   HEADINGS.  161 


"  Therefore  let  us  not  sleep  as  do  others,  but  let  us  watch  and  be  sober." — 1 
Thess.  V.  0. 

OH,  in  love  watch  oner  one  another  for  good,  and  for 
the  better,  and  not  for  the  worse !  And  dwell  in 
that  which  is  pure  of  God  in  you,  lest  your  thoughts  get 
forth;  and  then  evil  thoughts  get  up,  and  surmising 
one  against  another,  which  arise  out  of  the  veiled  mind. 

But  as  ye  dwell  in  that  which  is  of  God,  it  guides  you 
up  out  of  the  elementary  life,  and  out  of  the  mortal  into 
the  immortal,  where  is  peace  and  joy  eternal  to  all  that 
can  witness  the  new  birth.  Babes  in  Christ,  born  again 
of  the  immortal  Seed,  in  it  wait ;  my  life  is  with  you  in 
perfect  unity ;  bow  down  to  nothing  but  the  Lord  God. 
Satan  would  have  had  Christ  to  have  bowed,  but  He 
would  not ;  the  same  Seed  now,  the  same  birth  is  born  in 
you  now,  w^hich  is  the  same  to-day,  yesterday,  and  for 
ever. 

The  Tempter  will  come  to  you;  and  if  ye  look  forth, 
and  hearken  to  his  words,  and  let  them  in,  then  ye  bow 
down  under  him,  and  worship  him.  But  I  say  unto  you 
in  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  mind  the  pure  Seed  of  God 
in  you,  and  the  mighty  power  of  God  will  cherish  you  up 
to  the  Lord  God  above  all  temptations,  not  to  bow  down 
to  anything;  but  feeding  upon  the  immortal  food  ye 
will  feel  yourselves  supported  and  carried  over  him,  bv 
your  Father  and  your  God,  who  is  over  all,  blessed  for 
ever!  They  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  do  not 
mind  the  world's  judgment,  nor  are  troubled  at  it. — 
George  Fox^  1C50. 


162  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Sixth  Month  11 


"  Tliat  ye  might  walk  worthy  of  the  Lord  unto  all  pleasing,  being  fruitful  in 
every  good  work,  and  increase  in  the  knowledge  of  God.''    Col.  i.  10. 

NOW,  mothers  of  families,  that  have  the  ordering  ol 
children  and  servants,  may  do  a  good  deal  of  good 
or  harm  in  their  families,  to  the  making  or  spoiUng  of 
cliildren  and  servants ;  and  many  things  women  may 
do  and  speak  amongst  women,  which  are  not  men's  bnsj^i- 
ness.  So  men  and  women  become  helpmeets  in  the  image 
of  God. 

And  the  elder  women  in  the  truth  were  not  only  called 
elders,  but  mothers.  Now,  a  mother  in  the  church  of 
Christ,  and  a  mother  in  Israel,  is  one  that  nourishes,  and 
feeds,  and  washes,  and  rules,  and  is  a  teacher  in  the 
Church,  and  in  the  Israel  of  God,  and  an  admonisher,  an 
instructor,  an  exhorter.  So  the  elder  women  and  mothers 
are  to  be  teachers  of  good  things,  and  to  be  teachers  of 
the  younger,  and  trainers  up  of  them  in  virtue,  in  holiness, 
in  godliness  and  righteousness,  in  wisdom,  and  in  fear 
of  the  Lord,  in  the  Church  of  Christ.  *  *  *  Surely 
such  a  woman  is  permitted  to  speak,  and  to  work  the 
work  of  God,  and  to  make  a  member  in  a  church ;  and 
then  as  an  elder,  to  oversee  that  they  walk  according  to 
the  order  of  the  Gospel. 

And  women  are  to  keep  the  comely  order  of  Hhe  Gos- 
pel, as  well  as  men,  and  to  see  that  all  have  received 
Christ  Jesus,  do  walk  in  Christ  Jesus ;  and  to  see  that 
all  that  have  received  the  Gospel,  do  walk  in  the  Gospel, 
the  power  of  God  which  they  are  heirs  of. —  George  JFox^ 
1672. 


Sixth  Month  12.]  DAILY   READINGS.  163 

"  Her  waye  are  ways  of  pleaeantness,  and  all  her  paths  are  peace."— ProY.  iii 


THE  duty  of  many  of  us  lies  very  much  in  scenes 
of  active  life,  and  various  occupations  may  take 
up  a  considerable  part  of  our  time  ;  but  in  this  hurry  and 
bustle,  without  setting  apart  proper  seasons  of  retirement, 
the  mind  is  very  apt  to  get  bewildered,  and  too  often 
settles  in  a  false  rest.  *  *  *  ^pj^jg  j  j^^  times  experi- 
ence to  be  my  own  case,  and  though  I  would  by  no 
means  make  the  path  of  virtue  appear  dismal  or  gloomy, 
yet  I  confess  I  could  never  yet  find  it  to  be  strewed  with 
roses,  but  have  been  rather  inclined  to  embrace  the  say- 
ing of  our  Saviour  to  his  disciples :  "  In  the  world  ye 
shall  have  tribulation,  but  in  me  peace." 

Great  part  of  our  happiness,  while  in  this  present  state 
of  being,  arises  from  a  well-grounded  hope  of  a  glorious 
immortality ;  and  though  we  are  to  receive  with  thank- 
fulness the  various  undeserved  blessings  that  are  bestowed 
upon  us  in  terrestrial  things,  yet  the  uncertainty  of  their 
duration  makes  it  improper  that  we  should  set  our  affec- 
tions on  them  ;  but  using  the  things  of  this  world  as  not 
abusing  them,  we  should  endeavor  to  maintain  an  equal 
mind  in  prosperity  or  adversity,  and  with  humble  re" 
signation  of  heart,  say,  "  Thy  will,  O  God,  not  mine,  be 
done;"  trusting  that  all  things  will  work  together  for 
our  good,  being  anxiously  solicitous  about  nothing,  but 
that  we  may  be  established  in  righteousness,  and  gain 
admittance  into  that  Kingdom  which  will  never  end, — 
Margaret  Woods,  1774, 


164  DAILY   KEADINGS. 


[Sixth  Month  13, 


"  And  the  valley  of  Achor,  a  place  for  the  herds  to  lie  down  in,  for  my  people 
that  have  sought  me." — Isa.  Ixv.  10. 

I  THINK  I  have  seen  the  danger  of  young  men  or 
women  dwelling  anywhere  else  than  in  the  valley  of 
humility.  Human  learning,  human  attainments  and  ex- 
cellencies— I  m3an  all  those  things  that  are  obtained  by 
the  memory,  judgment,  reasoning  powers,  and  mental 
abilities,  separate  from  any  immediate  influence  and 
assistance  derived  from  the  source  of  all  true  wisdom — 
these  natural  acquisitions  and  talents  are  well  in  their 
places,  and  are  serviceable  to  us  when  kept  in  subjection 
to  the  i>ure  teachings  of  Him  "who  teaches"  by  His 
Spirit  "as  never  man  taught."  *  *  *  *  j  have 
been  in  company  with  some  young  persons  of  our  so- 
ciety who  have  been  not  a  little  injured  by  giving  way 
to  pride  and  foolish  talkativeness  in  respect  to  many  mat- 
ters in  which,  though  they  seemed  well  informed,  yet,  not 
keeping  in  the  littleness  and  lowliness,  they  have  acquit- 
ted themselves  but  ill,  through  letting  in  a  forward  prat 
ing  spirit.  ISTow,  the  best  light  in  which  we  can  view  true 
talents  and  virtues,  and  in  which  they  are  set  off  to  the 
best  advantage,  is  the  somber  shade  of  humility.  For 
the  more  the  frame-work  is  colored,  or  gilt,  or  carved,  or 
ornamented,  the  more  there  is  to  take  off  the  attention 
of  the  eye  from  the  picture  itself.  So  that  it  seems  to  me 
best  for  each  of  us  to  dwell  in  the  littleness,  in  the  lowli- 
ness ;  always  bearing  in  mind  where  we  are. — John  Bar- 
day^  1817. 


SIXTH  Month  14.]  DAILY  READINGS.  165 

"  Be  thou  faithftil  unto  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life."— Rev.  ii.  10. 

CHRIST'S  Cross  is  Christ's  way  to  Christ's  Crown. 
This  is  the  subject  of  the  following  discourse, 
first  written  during  my  confinement  in  the  Tower  of  Lon- 
don, in  the  year  1668,  now  re-printed  with  great  enlarge- 
ments of  matter  and  testimonies,  that  thou,  reader,  may- 
est  be  won  to  Christ ;  and  if  won  already,  brought  near- 
er to  him.  *  *  *  Ihavetastedof  Christ's  judgments, 
and  of  his  mercies,  and  of  the  world's  frowns  and  re- 
proaches :  I  rejoice  in  my  experience,  and  dedicate  it  to 
thy  service  in  Cln-ist.  It  is  a  debt  I  have  long  owed,  and 
has  been  long  expected :  I  have  now  paid  it,  and  deliv- 
ered my  soul.  To  my  country,  and  to  the  world  of 
Christians  I  leave  it :  may  God,  if  he  please,  make  it  ef- 
fectual to  them  all,  and  turn  their  hearts  from  that  envy, 
hatred,  and  bitterness,  they  have  one  against  another, 
about  Avorldly  things  ;  (sacrificing  humanity  and  charity 
to  ambition  and  covetousness,  for  which  they  fill  the 
earth  with  trouble  and  oppression)  that  receiving  the 
spirit  of  Christ  into  their  hearts  (the  fruits  of  which  are 
love,  peace,  joy,  temperance,  and  patience,  brotherly 
kindness  and  charity)  they  may  in  body,  soul,  and  spirit, 
make  a  triple  league  against  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the 
devil,  the  only  common  enemies  of  mankind ;  and  having 
conquered  them  through  a  life  of  self-denial,  by  the  power 
of  the  Cross  of  Jesus  Christ,  they  may  at  last  attain  to 
the  eternal  rest  and  kingdom  of  God. —  William  Penn. 


166  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Sixth  Month  15 


"  Reach  hither  thy  finger  and  behold  my  hands ;  and  reach  hither  thy  hand,  and 
thrust  it  into  my  side ;  and  be  not  faithless,  but  believing."— John  xx.  ST. 

SIXCE  I  last  wrote  in  this  book,  I  have  been  more 
than  usually  tried  with  doubts  and  fears,  and  rea- 
soning on  several  Christian  doctrines.  At  times,  however, 
I  have  been  favored  to  feel  them  dissipated,  and  to  know 
a  quiet,  peaceful  i*esignation,  and  a  willingness  to  wait  for 
the  opening  of  the  seal  of  him  who  hath  the  key  of 
David.  I  have,  indeed,  abundant  cause  to  be  thankful 
for  the  many  favors  bestowed  upon  me,  who  am  in  every 
respect  so  unworthy.  I  have  a  belief  that  as  I  am  con- 
cerned to  look  unto  the  Lord  for  direction  and  counsel, 
all  these  doubts  and  reasonings  will  terminate  in  a  firmer 
establishment  in  the  Christian  belief  and  practice. 

In  looking  back  over  the  past  year,  I  seem  as  though 
I  could  not  determine  whether  I  had  grown  in  grace 
or  not.  I  hope  I  have  not  gone  backward  in  the  heaven- 
ly race ;  but  when  I  consider,  that  after  so  many  years 
of  religious  profession,  I  yet  feel  the  want  of  establish- 
ment in  truth,  a  want  of  clearness  of  knowledge,  and  of 
freedom  from  doubt,  combined  with  so  short  a  knowledge 
of  my  own  sinfulness,  and  consequent  love  for  my  blessed 
liedeemer,  so  little  devotedness  to  the  cause  of  religion, 
so  much  holding  back  and  feeling  of  shame,  in  advocat- 
ing His  cause,  I  have  every  reason  to  fear  that  I  am  yet 
a  novice,  and  require  milk  to  nourish,  and  not  strong 
meat.  I  find,  however,  that  I  have  victory  over  some 
temptations  that  used  to  ensnare  me,  and  that  as  I  seek, 
help  is  afforded  mQ.— Thomas  Smith,  1828. 


SIXTH  Month  16.]  DAILY    READINGS.  167 

"I  am  crucified  with  Christ;  nevertheless  I  live  ;  yet  not  1,  but  Christ  livoih 
in  me :  and  the  life  which  I  now  live  in  the  flesh  I  live  by  the  laith  of  the  Sou 
■>f  God,  who  loved  me  and  gave  himself  for  me.  "—Gal.  ii.  '20. 


"O' 


ness,  in  meekness  and  in  humility,  where  the 
<!ew  of  heaven  is  felt  to  rest. 

The  fear  lest  we  begin  and  have  not  wherewithal  t(» 
finish,  has  an  influence  on  the  mind,  and  if  looked  at  too 
much,  may  produce  death  and  cowardice  instead  of  holy 
caution.  The  danger  lies  '.u  beginning  in  our  own 
strength ;  there  is  none  in  following  the  leadings  of  the 
Lord  Jesus.  P'aithfulness  to  his  requirings  is  what  I  de- 
sire for  us.  Are  we  not  afraid  of  this  or  that  man's  opin- 
ion? and  does  not  this  bring  us  to  feel  a  snare?  Oh  !  let 
us  place  more  fully  our  affections  on  things  above.  The 
way  that  leads  to  virtue  and  to  glory  is  often  bestrewed 
with  thorns  and  with  difficulties ;  we  must  b;*  willing  to 
take  up  more  eminently  our  cross,  despising  the  shame, 
and  follow  on  to  know  the  Lord.  The  flesh  sometimes 
will  shrink,  but  let  us  lean  upon  the  Captain  of  our  sal. 
vation,  looking  to  Him  for  help,  and  He  will  strengthen 
and  sustain  in  every  needful  time.  We  cannot  choose 
our  own  path.  Israel's  Shepherd  leads  his  flock  by  a  way 
which  they  often  know  not;  to  feel   that    He    requires 

ought  to  be  enough ;  our  duty  is  to  give  up  <•  nd  follow. 
*     *     *  ' 

By  that  faith  I  have  had  a  glimpse  of  the  glories  of 
heaven ;  it  was  only  a  glimpse,  but  such  a  one  as  I  desire  not 
to  lose  sight  of  in  time  or  etQn\\tj.—  T/i(mias  /Smith,  1 85 1. 


168  DAILY    EEADINGS. 


[Sixth  Month  17. 


"  Audwi  (lom  andk  owlecl;je  shall  be  tlie  stability  of  thy  times,  andstreu/fth 
of  salva:iou  :  the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  his  treasure."— Isaiah  xxxiii.  G. 

A  T  the  present  time,  when  the  diffusion  of  knowledge 
_iljL.  is  become  an  object  of  general  attention,  and 
when  effi>rts  are  being  made  on  an  extended  scale  to 
curry  ths  blessings  of  education  into  the  lowest  huts  of 
poverty,  does  it  not  become  more  peculiarly  the  duty 
of  those  who  occupy  a  somewhat  higlier  station  in  society, 
to  direct  their  energies  to  the  cultivation  of  the  mind — 
to  the  expansion  of  those  intellectual  faculties,  with  which 
the  great  Author  of  our  being  has  dignified  his  creature, 
man,  and  which  were  undoubtedly  bestowed  upon  him 
for  great  and  noble  purposes,  that  he  might  employ  them, 
under  the  regulating  influence  of  religious  principles,  to 
the  praise  of  liis  Creator,  and  to  the  improv^ement  of  his 
species.  Some  persons  object,  and  perhaps  with  too  much 
reason,  that  t''e  acquisition  of  knowledge  has  frequently 
an  injurious  tendency  upon  the  minds  of  young  persons. 
This  may  sometimes  be  the  case,  though  it  is  not  unlikely 
that  persons  who  are  vain  of  their  intellectual  attainments 
would  have  been  vain  of  something  less  honorable,  had 
their  understandings  been  sufiered  to  remain  unimproved. 
The  advantages  of  study  invigorates  the  tone  of  the  mind, 
and  next  to  the  restraints  of  religion,  furnishes  the  best 
preservative  of  virtue,  by  providing  a  sober,  rational  en- 
tertainment for  those  hours  of  leisure,  which  might  other- 
wise be  passed  in  dissipation,  or  lost  in  the  inanity  of  idle- 
ness.— 3faria  Middleton,  1820. 


Sixth  Month  18.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  169 


"  And  that  he  died  for  all,  that  they  which  live  should  not  henceforth  live 
unto  themselves,  but  unto  him  which  died  for  them,  and  rose  again."— 2  Cor. 
V.  15. 

I  SOMETIMES  resolve  with  myself  to  abandon  all  my 
designs,  and  endeavor  to  live  to  none  but  my  Crea- 
tor ;  and  presently,  my  condition  in  this  life  appears  to 
ray  view,  and  that  part  which  regards  only  the  present 
too  often  prevails,  and  here  I  waste  and  decline ;  I  see  it, 
I  feel  it,  yet  I  almost  despair  of  ever  being  able  to  resolve 
an  amendment.  Thou  knowest  these  bitter  scenes,  but 
hast  courage  enough  to  give  up,  and  become  nothing  for 
his  sake.  I  every  day  see  the  happy  consequences  of  such 
conduct,  but  video  meliora  prohoque  cleteriora  sequar. 
Here  is  my  condition,  without  disguise  ;  'tis  easy  to  say 
more,  but  thou  knowest  by  this  the  rest ;  but  what  can 
be  said  to  a  person  who  is  conscious  how  much  it  would 
be  his  interest,  his  eternal  interest,  how  much  it  would  re- 
joice the  heart  of  the  tenderest  of  fathers  to  see  a  pro- 
gress made  in  the  internal  life,  how  much  it  would  also 
rejoice  his  relations,  his  friends,  and  all  the  good  of  his 
acquaintance,  yet  is  cowardly  enough  to  give  up  to  the 
tempter.  I  often  reproach  myself,  I  can  suffer  in  some 
measure  and  at  some  times  from  others,  knowing  how 
much  I  deserved  it.  I  am  not  solicitous  of  hiding  my 
case  from  those,  who,  knowing  the  weakness  of  human 
nature,  can  pity  the  failures  of  the  person. — John  Foth- 
ergill^  London,  1728. 

ne  that  makes  this  his  care  will  find  it  his  crown  at  last. 


170  DAILY   READINGS. 


Sixth  Month  19. 


"  And  that  from  a  child  thou  hast  known  the  Holy  Scriptures,  which  are  able 
to  make  thee  wise  unto  ealvation  through  faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus."— 
2  Tim.  iii.  15. 

IX  addition  to  the  practice  of  the  family  reading  of  the 
Ploly  Scriptures,  the  importance  of  which  we  deep- 
Iv  feel,  be  encouraged  often  to  read  them  in  private; 
«herish  a  humble  and  sincere  desire  to  receive  them  in 
their  genuine  import ;  and  at  the  same  time,  dear  friends, 
avoid  all  vain  speculations  upon  unfulfilled  prophecy. 
Forbear  from  presumptuously  endeavoring  to  determine 
the  mode  of  the  future  government  of  the  world,  or  of 
the  church  of  Christ. 

Seek  an  enlightened  sense  of  the  various  delusions  of 
our  common  enemy,  to  which  we  are  all  liable ;  ask  of 
God  that  your  meditations  upon  the  sacred  writings  may 
be  made  by  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  their  effects, 
when  thus  read,  is  to  promote  an  increase  of  practi- 
cal piety,  and  the  right  performance  of  all  our  civil  and 
religious  duties,  and  to  discourage  vain  and  fruitless  in- 
vestigations. Remember  as  this  precious  faith  is  sought 
for  and  prevails,  the  evidence  of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  our 
hearts  most  satisfactorily  confirmsourbelief  in  the  divine 
authority  of  these  inestimable  writings. — London  Epis- 
tle, 1682. 

Therefore,  as  the  Holy  Scriptures  are  the  external  means  of  conveying  and 
•  -eserving  to  us  an  account  of  the  things  most  surely  to  be  believed  concerning 
•'le  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  the  flesh,  and  the  fulfilling  the  prophe- 
cies relating  thereto,  we  therefore  recommend  to  all  Friends,  especially  elders 
in  the  Church  and  masters  of  families,  that  they  would,  both  by  example  and 
advice,  impress  on  the  minds  of  the  younger  a  reverend  esteem  of  those  sacred 
writings,  and  advise  them  to  a  frequent  reading  and  meditating  therein.— .ESb 
tracts  from  London  Ejnstle.^  1T09,  and  others. 


«ucTn  Month  20.]  DAILY  READINGS.  171 

"  Know  ye  not  that  ye  are  the  temple  of  God,  and  that  the  spirit  of  God 
dwelleth  in  you  ?  "—1  Cor.  iii.  16. 

AND,  as  tlie  operation  of  the  power  of  truth  is 
given  way  into  our  hearts,  it  will  work  out 
everything  that  is  of  a  contrary  nature ;  that  so  we  may 
become  fit  tabernacles  for  him,  the  Holy  One,  to  dwell  in, 
which,  that  it  may  be  our  chiefest  care  to  press  after,  is 
many  times  tlie  earnest  breathing  of  my  soul,  notwith- 
standing the  many  buffetings  and  hard  exercises  that 
fall  to  my  lot:  for  the  adversary,  at  times,  strongly  sug- 
gests the  need  I  have  of  a  more  eager  pursuit  after  the 
lawful  things  of  this  life;  but  I  find  except  the  manage- 
ment of  things  temporal  be  kept  in  its  proper  place,  we 
shall  lose  ground  as  to  religion,  and  our  appetite  after 
Divine  consolation  will  fail. 

Oh  !  that  this  may  never  be  our  case,  but  that  we  may 
still  breathe  to  the  Almighty  for  strength  to  undergo 
whatever  may  be  proved  within  the  course  of  our  so- 
journing here.  When  I  have  considered  how  some  who 
have  been  in  a  great  degree  cleansed  and  enlightened, 
yet,  for  want  of  watchfulness,  darkness  has  come  over 
them  again ;  this  at  times  has  bowed  me  very  low,  in 
strong  desires  that  I  might  always  keep  in  a  sense  of  my 
own  nothingness  and  insufiiciency ;  and  as  we  keep  here, 
I  am  not  without  hope  that  he  who  was  appointed  to 
open  the  prison  doors,  will  in  time  set  us  at  liberty  to 
serve  him  in  an  acceptable  manner. — John  Mouthy  Man- 
chester, England,  1657. 


172  DAILY    KEADI2s"GS. 


[Sixth  Month  21 


"  Watch  ye,  stand  fast  in  the  faith,  quit  you  like  men,  be  strong."—!  Cor.  xvi. 
13. 

FOR  want  of  iuward  watchfulness,  we  neglect  or  go 
from  it,  then  the  adversary  gets  grounds.  We 
are  led  astray  by  this  enemy  of  souls,  and  at  last  miss  the 
crown.  And  therefore  it  was  that  our  blessed  Lord,  know- 
ing the  aptness  of  our  natures  to  frailty,  says  to  his  own 
beloved  disciples,  watch  and  pray  always,  lest  ye  enter 
into  temptation.  This  was  our  first  parent  Adam's  case 
thougli  created  in  innocency ;  for  want  of  watchfulness, 
notwithstanding  the  Lord  had  given  him  sufficient  power 
to  keep  his  command,  yet  by  not  obeying  it  he  therefore 
fell ;  and  likeways,  it  was  for  want  of  due  watchfulness  that 
many  other  great  and  good  men  of  his  posterity  did  miss 
their  wny,  and  displeased  the  Lord,  as  great  Moses,  Aaron, 
David,  Solomon,  and  others,  and  all  for  want  of  watch- 
fulness and  keeping  close  to  the  Lord  then-  guide.  And 
if  we  descend  even  to  our  own  times,  how  many  great, 
bright,  and  largely-gifted  men  have  greatly  missed  their 
way,  and  others  totally  fallen,  and  all  for  want  of  keep- 
ing close  to  tliis  inward  guide  of  the  Lord's  holy  light 
and  spirit. —  Joseph  Pike,  Cork,  1695. 

Let  ns,  then,  not  cozen  ourselves  with  the  shells  and  husks  of  things ;  nor 
prefer  form  to  power,  nor  shadows  to  substance :  pictures  of  bread  will  not 
fatisfy  hunger,  nor  those  of  devotion  please  Giod..—Pe>in' s  Maxirns. 


The  glory  of  a  pc^^'ant  is  fidelity,  which  cannot  be  without  diligence  as  well  as 
truth.— \Vm.  Penn. 


Sixth  Month  22.] 


DAILY    KEADINGS.  ,  173 


"I bowed  down  hCvivily,  as  one  that  mourneth  for  his  mother."— Psalm  xxxx. 
14. 

HEARING  of  the  great  loss  which  thyself  and  thy 
sisters  have  sustained  by  the  removal  of  thy  much 
loved  and  highly  valued  parent,*  I  cannot,  with  satis- 
faction to  myself,  withhold  the  expression  of  very  near 
sympathy.  The  intelligence  affected  me  with  poignant 
grief,  and  I  still  mourn  the  Church's  loss;  but  in  the 
midst  of  my  sorrow,  the  language  livingly  revived: 
"Write,  blessed  are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord."  *  *  * 
I  think  I  was  never  permitted  to  feel  nearer  fellowship 
with  her  than  at  the  present  time.  I  am  ready  to  think 
this  experience  is  in  unmerited  mercy  vouchsafed  as  one 
means  of  keeping  me  from  sinking  below  hope  amidst  the 
numerous  baptisms  and  fears  which  await  me.    *   *   * 

I  meet  with  many  Friends  who  are  in  degree  near  to 
my  best  life,  and  a  precious  number  of  standard-bearers 
are  preserved,  but  there  is  a  great  want  of  depth  and 
settlement  amongst  Friends,  even  amongst  many  whose 
exterior  is  remarkably  plain;  at  least  such  is  my  appre- 
hension. Friends  are  greatly  increased  in  numbers  in 
these  eastern  parts,  many  having  joined  by  convincement, 
more  than  a  few  of  whom  are,  I  believe,  simple  hearted  and 
well  concerned.  According  to  my  small  ability,  I  feel 
myself  frequently  called  upon  to  assert  the  ancient  and 
unchangeable  doctrines  of  Christianity,  as  professed  by 
our  Society  in  common  with  other  denominations  of 
Christians. — Isaac  Stephenson,  1823. 

♦  Mary  Dudley. 


174  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Sixth  Month  23. 


"  Watch  and  pray,  that  ye  enter  not  into  temptation  :  the  spirit  is  indeed  will- 
ing, but  the  flesh  is  weali."— Matthew  xxvi.  41. 

OH !  the  perilous  situation  of  those  who  are  in  con- 
spicuous stations  !  How  are  these  set  as  a  mark 
for  the  archers  !  Against  these  the  enemy  of  souls,  who 
is  the  betrayer  and  accuser  of  the  brethren,  directs  his 
deadliest  shafts,  and  seeks  to  effect  their  overthrow, 
with  a  cruelty  like  that  of  the  great  dragon  mentioned 
in  the  Apocalypse,  who  with  his  tail  drew  down  the  stars 
of  heaven.  '  There  is  no  safe  state  or  situation,  but  that 
of  being  hid  in  the  cleft  of  the  rock,  sheltered  under  the 
overshadowing  wing  of  ancient  and  everlasting  goodness. 
May  it  be  the  daily  prayer  of  our  souls,  to  be  kept  little 
and  low,  and  so  to  be  subjected  to  the  discij^line  of  the 
cross  of  Christ,  that  self,  in  its  various  shapes  and  subtle 
workings,  may  die  daily ;  for  truly  in  us,  that  is,  in  our 
flesh,  dwelleth  no  good  thing.  Deepen  us  all,  O  Lord  ! 
cause  us  to  grow  in  the  root,  rather  than  in  the  branches ; 
that  we  may  increase  in  holy  stability,  and  bring  forth 
only  such  fruit  aias  acceptable  to  Thee,  through  the  power 
of  the  Spirit  of  oi#Lord  Jesus  Christ.  "  Trust  in  the  Lord, 
and  do  good ;  so  shalt  thou  dwell  in  the  land,  and  verily 
thou  shalt  be  fed."  Oh !  to  be  fed  with  that  spiritual 
food,  which  keeps  up  the  life  of  faith  in  the  soul.  "  This 
is  life  eternal,  that  they  might  know  Thee,  the  only  true 
God,  and  Jesus  Christ,  whom  Thou  hast  sent." — Maria 
Fox.  aged  36. 


Sixth  Month  24.] 


DAILY   KEADINGS.  175 


"  There  shall  no  evil  befall  thee,  neither  shall  any  pla<»ue  come  nigh  thy 
dwelling.  For  he  shall  give  his  angels  charge  over  thee,  to  keep  thee  in  all  thy 
ways."— Psalm  xci.  10, 11. 

TIME  would  fail  me  to  tell  of  the  everlasting  mercy 
and  compassion  that  have  been  extended  to  us- 
ward,  in  that  love  vrhich  hath  compassed  about  as  with 
a  shield  during  our  recent  operations  in  dangerous  bays 
and  roadsteads,  lying  open  within  a  very  few  points  of 
the  compass  to  the  whole  beat  of  the  Pacific. 

I  brought  with  me  from  London,  as  recommended 
by  a  dear  friend,  a  patent  water-proof  belt  or  life-pre- 
server ;  but  I  have  been  ashamed  to  make  use  of  it  on  any 
occasion.  How  could  I  now  begin  to  doubt  the  loving- 
kindness  of  Him  whose  goodness  hath  folloAved  me  all 
my  life  long,  and  dare  to  distrust  that  never  failing  arm 
of  strength  that  hath  been  so  often  and  eminently 
stretched  forth  for  my  preservation,  by  night  and  day, 
by  sea  and  land,  amongst  strangers  and  foreigners,  where 
no  man  cared  for  my  soul,  in  cold  and  heat,  in  hunger 
and  thirst,  and  weariness,  amid  the  din  of  arms,  the  noi- 
some pestilence,  and  the  destruction  that  wasteth  at  noon- 
day ;  and  how  was  I  supported  in  the  iron  grasp  of  afflic- 
tion, when  week  after  week  tidings  of  family  distresses 
assailed  me,  without  the  power  to  lend  a  hand  to  help ; 
the  parent  stock  smitten  and  removed,  and  the  branches 
withering.  And  after  all  this  shall  I  now,  when  old  and 
gray-headed,  begin  to  doubt  the  heavenly  source  of  help. 
— JDaniel  Wheeler^  Sandwich  Islands,  1836. 


176  DAILY    READIXGS. 


[SiXTU   M'JXTH  25. 


"For  God  who  coramandecl  the  li^ht  to  sliiiie  out  of  darkness,  hath  ehined  in 
our  hearts  to  give  the  lijjht  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face 
of  Jesus  Christ.'' — 2  Cor.  iv.  6. 

IX  the  year  1652,  about  the  middle  of  the  fourt]i 
month,  was  that  faithful  messenger  and  servant  of 
the  most  High,  George  Fox,  came  among  us,  who  declared 
unto  us  the  waj  of  life  and  peace.  Of  those  in  that 
family  who  believed  his  report,  I  was  one,  who  came 
finally  to  be  affected  Avith  his  doctrine  ;  though  at  first  I 
did  as  much  admire  at  his  non-conformity  to  our  fashions, 
customs,  and  salutations,  as  strangers  at  this  day  admire  at 
our  non-conformity  to  them  ;  yet  something  in  me  loved 
him  and  owned  his  testimony.  I  began  to  find  in  my- 
self the  truth  of  what  he  spoke  ;  for  his  doctrine  tended 
very  much  to  bring  us  to  the  light  which  Christ  Jesus 
had  enliglitened  us  withal. 

In  due  time  the  witness  of  the  Lord  was  awakened  in 
me,  whereby  my  sins  camo  to  be  set  in  order  before  me, 
and  it  brought  judgment  and  condemnation  upon  me  by 
reason  of  them :  but  I,  being  as  the  wild  heifer  which  is 
unaccustomed  to  the  yoke,  sought  to  get  from  under  it 
as  I  often  did,  until  I  came  to  know  something  of  the 
power  of  God,  which  brought  that  wild  nature  in  me  ^ 
which  w\as  unaccustomed  to  the  yoke,  into  subjection. 
And  so  grood  was  the  Lord  unto  me,  that  I  had  not  long 
h -ar  1  the  Truth,  when  I  came  to  be  a  witness  of  the 
pawer  of  it  in  myself;  whereby  the  strong  man  in  me 
was  made  to  bow  and  the  keepers  of  the  house  to  trem- 
ble.—TT/^/iam  (7a^o;i,  England,  1652. 


StxTH  Month  26.]  DAILY   READINGS.  177 

"  All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God.  and  is  profitable  for  doctrine, 
for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction  in  righteonsnees.''— 2  Tim.  iii.  16. 

DEAR -:  Thou  hast  at  this  time,  and  often 
heretofore,  been  made  near  to  my  best  feelings; 
and  to-day  in  meeting  our  situations  appeared  so  similar, 
that  I  feel  willing  to  turn  thj^  attention  to  a  passage  of 
Scripture  which  very  much  occupied  my  mind  therein. 

Queen  Esther,  when  she  was  charged  by  Mordecai  to  go 
unto  the  King  to  make  supplication  for  her  people,  after 
endeavoring  to  excuse  herself,  added,  "  I  have  not  been 
called  to  come  imto  the  King  these  thirty  days."  Mor- 
decai replied,  "  Think  not  that  thou  shalt  escape  in  the 
King's  house,  more  than  all  the  Jews ;  for  if  thou  alto- 
gether boldest  thy  peace,  deliverance  will  arise  from 
another  quarter;  but  thou  shalt  not  go  unpunished." 

When  Esther  had  given  over  reasoning,  she  answered, 
"  Go  gather  together  all  the  Jews,  and  fast  ye  for  me.  I  also 
and  my  maidens  will  fast,  and  so  I  will  go  in  unto  the 
King.     If  I  perish,  I  perish." 

I  am  not  disposed  to  comment  upon  what  I  have 
written,  further  than  to  say  that  I  have  desired  to 
maintain  a  solemn  fast,  and  patiently  endure  my  part  of 
that  famine  which  is  not  of  bread  or  of  water,  but  of  the 
word  of  the  Lord.  As  this  is  our  experience,  a  hope  is 
raised  in  my  heart  that  we  shall  again  be  admitted  into 
the  King's  presence,  and  favored  to  touch  the  royal  scep- 
ter.— Anna  MerritL  1805, 


178  DAILY    READIXGS. 


[Sixth  Month  27 


"  Then  shall  we  know,  if  we  follow  on  to  know  the  Lord  ;  his  going  forth  ia 
prepared  as  the  morning :  and  he  shall  come  unto  us  as  the  rain,  as  the  latter 
and  former  rain  unto  the  earth." — Hos.  vi.  3. 

MAY  we  boldly  say,  "tlie  Lord  has  been  our 
helper,"  and  by  Him  we  have  been  enabled  to 
"  run  through  a  troop,  and  leap  over  a  wall ;  "  and  that 
through  all  our  trials  "  his  hand  is  not  shortened,  nor  his 
ear  grown  heavy ; "  let  us  still  confide  in  Him,  follow  our 
great  Captain,  and  be  of  good  cheer,  for  as  he  was,  so 
shall  we  be,  grave  in  conversation,  sound  in  judgment, 
and  constant  in  persevering,  meeting  afflictions  cheerfully, 
specially  when  they  come  from  Him  who  is  everywhere 
present.  We  may  remember  what  our  Lord  signified, 
"  The  cup  which  my  Father  hath  given  me  to  drink, 
should  I  not  drink  it  ?  "  And  if  this  was  a  situation  fit 
for  a  son,  how  much  more  so  for  the  servant,  and  espe- 
cially for  those  who  have  been  and  are  but  unprofitable 
ones  !  We  are  apt  at  times  to  grow  impatient,  and 
tired  of  the  school  of  affliction,  which  frequently  is  a 
greater  blessing  than  the  increase  of  temporal  things. 
All  the  righteous  nation,  who  keep  the  law,  enter  in 
with  the  Bridegroom  to  hold  the  repast  which  tongue  can- 
not set  forth,  being  in  the  full  fruition  of  never-ending 
joy,  when  tears  will  disappear  ;  and  oh !  my  dear  ;  though 
absent  in  body,  I  am  often  led  to  sympathize  with  thee, 
under  thy  present  exercises,  which  doubtless  are  numer- 
ous and  painful,  and  recommend  thee  and  our  tender 
children  to  the  guidance  of  the  good  Shepherd,  who  will 
lead  us  all  safely. — David  Sands^  1779. 


Sixth  Moxth  28.] 


DAILY   KEADINGS.  179 


*'  What  carcfuln<!ss  is  wrought  in  you  ^  yea,  what  clearing  of  yourselves."— 
2Cor.  vi'.Jl. 

THIS  day  thought  much  of  the  dear  children ;  Oh  j 
that  I  may  be  strengthened  to  fulfill  the  duties  re- 
quired at  my  hands  towards  them ;  how  unworthy  am  I 
of  the  privilege  of  leading  them  to  Jesus,  yet  mu-ch  do  I 
desire  not  to  abuse  this  privilege  and  to  be  kept  truly 
Inmible. 

Again,  gave  way  to  unprofitable  convei*sation,  when  I 
ought  to  be  seeking  strength  to  go  onwards  ;  Oh  !  when 
shall  I  be  guarded  enough  in  this  respect.  Bodily  suiFer- 
ings  prevented  my  attending  properly  to  ray  spiritual  du- 
ties. How  necessary  is  it  in  time  of  health  and  strength 
to  lay  up  our  treasure  in  heaven.    Had  some  conversation 

with on  serious  subjects.     She  encouraged  me,  and 

entreated  me  not  to  be  too  much  cast  down.     *     *     * 

I  fear  I  have  this  evening  listened  too  much  to  some 
things  spoken  against  others  ;  I  took  no  part  in  talking 
against  them,  but  I  feel  condemned,  and  truly,  justly  so, 
for  taking  a  part  so  far  as  to  listen. 

May  I  be  enabled  in  future  to  look  more  continually 
to  Him  ;  His  unbounded  mercy  causes  me  to  trust  that 
He  will  forgive  my  backslidings,  and  continue  to  love  me 
freely. 

Oh,  teach  me,  gracious  Father,  for  His  sake  what  thou 
wouldst  have  me  to  do  ;  and,  oh,  spare  not  thine  hand,  nor 
let  thine  eye  pity,  till  thou  hast  entirely  subdued  my 
will,  and  made  it  thine. — Memoir  of  Mary  Ann  Gilpin^ 
London,  1834, 


180  DAILY   READINGS.  [Sixth  Month  29 

"  What  if?  it  then  ?  I  will  pray  with  the  spirit,  and  I  will  pray  with  the  under- 
Btanding  also." — 1  Cor.  xiv.  15. 

AT  length  I  could  neither  kneel  nor  stand  up  to  join 
with  the  priests  in  prayers  before  the  sermon  j 
neither  did  T  care  to  hear  him  preach ;  but  my  mind  ran 
after  the  hearing  of  the  Nonconformist.  By  constraint 
I  went  with  the  family  in  the  morning,  but  could  not  be 
kept  from  going  to  hear  the  Puritan  preacher  in  the 
afternoon.  I  went  through  much  suffering  to  secure  this, 
being  forced  to  go  on  foot  two  or  three  miles,  and  none 
permitted  to  go  with  me. 

The  governors  of  the  family  were  much  disturbed,  and 
they  made  me  the  subject  of  their  discourse  in  company, 
saying  that  I  professed  to  pray  with  the  spirit,  but  re- 
jected godly  men's  prayers ;  that  I  was  proud,  and  schis- 
matic. This  was  hard  enough  against  a  conscientious 
tender-spirited  girl  of  seventeen;  but  we  must  remem- 
ber how  trying  it  was  to  her  guardians  to  see  one  so 
young  taking  a  stand  against  established  forms,  and 
against  what  they  regarded  and  had  adopted  as  the  right 
and  truly  authorized  course  in  family  worship. 

A  beautiful  young  heiress  as  she  was,  with  the  advan- 
tages of  wealth  and  educated  taste,  attracted  numerous 
suitors ;  but  from  these  special  attentions  she  turned 
coldly  away — her  heart  was  too  much  absorbed  in  the 
great  search  after  truth,  and  longing  after  spiritual  com- 
munion with  God. — Penna  and  Peningtwis,  1641. 


Sixth  Month  30.1 


DAILY  READINGS.  181 


"  Charge  them  that  are  rich  in  this  world,  that  they  bo  not  highminded,  nor 
trust  in  uncertain  riches,  but  in  the  living  God,  who  giveth  us  richly  all  things 
to  enjoy."— 1  Tim.  vi.  17. 


nV  "T"OW  I  feel  a  concern  in  the  spring  of  pure  love,  that 
J_  1  all  who  have  plenty  of  outward  substance,  may 
example  others  in  the  right  use  of  things ;  and  carefully 
look  in  the  condition  of  poor  people,  not  abridging  them 
of  their  due  with  regard  to  wages.  While  hired  laborers 
may,  by  moderate  industry  and  the  Divine  blessing,  live 
comfortably,  raise  up  families,  and  give  them  suitable  ed- 
ucation, it  appears  reasonable  for  them  to  be  content 
with  their  wages.  If  they  who  have  plenty,  love  their 
fellow-croaturcs  in  that  love  which  is  Divine,  and  in  all 
their  proceedings  have  an  equal  regard  to  the  good  of 
mankind  universally,  their  place  in  society  is  a  place  of 
care,  an  office  requiring  attention.  The  more  we  possess, 
the  greater  is  our  trust,  and  with  an  increase  of  trea- 
sures, an  increase  of  care  becomes  necessary. 

When  our  will  is  subject  to  the  will  of  God,  and  in  re- 
lation to  the  things  of  this  world,  we  have  nothing  in 
view  but  a  comfortable  living,  equally  with  the  rest  of  our 
fellow-creatures,  then  outward  treasures  are  no  farther 
desirable  than  as  we  feel  a  gift  in  our  minds  equal  to  the 
trust,  and  strength  to  act  as  dutiful  children  in  His  ser- 
vice, who  hath  formed  all  mankind,  and  has  appointed  a 
substance  for  us  in  this  world.  A  desire  of  treasures 
from  any  other  motive  appears  to  be  against  that  com- 
mand of  our  blessed  Saviour,  "  Lay  not  up  for  yourselves 
treasures  on  earth,"  Matt.  vi.  19. — John  Woolmmi,  1774. 


182'  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Skvtsxth  Month  1. 


"  He  that  dwelleth  in  the  secret  place  of  the  most  High  shall  abide  under  the 
Bhadow  of  the  Almighty.  I  will  say  of  the  Lord,  he  is  my  refuge  and  my 
fortress :  my  God ;  in  him  will  I  trust."— Psalm  xci.  1,  3. 

TO  Alexander  the  First,  Emperor  of  Russia — Per- 
mit one  who  has  felt  deeply  and  affectionately  for 
thy  present  and  future  happiness,  to  recall  himself  to  thy 
remembrance.  Since  the  last  memorable  inter^dew  which 
Stephen  Grellet  and  I  had  with  thee  at  Petersburg,  when 
our  Heavenly  Father  was  pleased  to  comfort  us  together 
with  the  sweet  feeling  of  his  divine  presence  and  love,  often, 
veiy  often,  have  I  been  tenderly  drawn  to  visit  thee  in 
spirit,  and,  as  I  was  enabled,  to  raise  a  secret  prayer  for 
thy  preservation ;  but  for  some  time  past  it  has  beea  im- 
pressed upon  my  mind,  as  a  religious  duty,  to  try  to  ob- 
tain another  interview ;  and  this  sense  of  duty  has  so  in- 
creased, that  I  cannot  feel  peace  in  mind,  without  giving 
up  at  least  to  make  the  effort.  If,  however,  any  insur- 
mountable obstacles  should  occur  to  prevent  it,  I  trust 
that  my  great  Master  will  .favor  me  with  peace,  in  hav- 
ing made  the  attempt. 

I  pui-pose,  by  di\'ine  permission,  to  be  at  Vienna  about 
the  20th  or  22d  of  the  present  month,  called  September ; 
and  as  I  shall  have  encountered  some  fatigue,  hazard, 
and  expense  in  the  journey,  may  I  beg  thee  to  admit 
nie  to  an  interview  as  soon  as  convenient  to  thee  after 
my  arrival,  of  which  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  the  min- 
ister from  our  Government,  will  be  apprized. 

In  a  fresh  feeling  of  the  llo wings  of  gospel  love  toward 
thee,  I  remain,  respectfully  thine — William  Allen,  1822. 


Seventh  Month  2.]  DAILY   READINGS.  l83 

"  Because  he  hath  set  his  love  upon  me,  therefore  will  I  deliver  him :  I  will 
eet  him  on  high,  because  he  hath  known  my  name."— Psalm  xci.  14. 

TO  Prixce  Alexander  Galitzin. — For  a  long  time 
past  I  have  very  often  wished  to  address  thee, 
and  our  beloved  friend  in  the  Lord,  B.  Papof,  with  a  f-w 
lines  expressive  of  that  love  and  sympathy  which  flow- 
in  my  heart  towards  you  ;  but  whenever  I  think  of  you, 
the  image  or  idea  of  one  inexpressibly  dear  to  us  all  im- 
presses my  mind  so  forcibly,  that  I  know  not  how  to  be- 
<»'in.  Nev^er,  except  in  the  loss  of  those  most  nearly  con- 
nected with  me  by  the  ties  of  nature,  have  I  felt  anguish 
of  heart  equal  to  that  which  I  experienced  when  I  first 
heard  the  news  of  the  illness  and  death  of  the  beloved 
Alexander ;  but  after  a  time,  it  seemed  as  if  I  felt  sym- 
pathy with  his  redeemed  and  glorified  spirit,  and  I  could 
only  contemplate  him  as  one  of  the  just  made  perfect^ 
and  for  ever  centered  in  his  Heavenly  Father's  rest. 

I  shall  be  thankful  to  my  Divine  Master  as  long  as  I 
live,  that  I  yielded  to  the  impression  of  duty,  which  I 
felt  in  my  own  mind,  to  go  to  Vienna  and  confer  with  the 
dear  Emperor.  *  *  *  In  the  last  interview  I  had  with 
him,  he  embraced  me  affectionately,  and,  fixing  his  eyes 
upon  me,  said,  with  much  solemnity,  "  when  and  where 
shall  we  meet  again  ?  "  Ah  !  may  we,  my  belove.l  friend, 
when  our  day  of  trial  is  over,  through  the  merits  of  a 
crucified  Redeemer,  meet  him  again  in  that  blessed  com- 
pany, "  which  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have 
washed  their  robes  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb." — William  Allen,  1826. 


184  DAILY   READINGS.  [Seventh  Month  3. 

"  Vanity  of  vanities,  saith  the  preacher,  vanity  of  vanities ;  all  is  vanity." 
— Eccl.  i.  2. 

GAME  from  London  last  Saturday  week.  The  first 
fortnight  there,  was  passed  with  papa  and  mamma 
in  visiting  relations,  and  seeing  sights.  They  then  left 
nie  at  St.  Tlioraas's  *  to  the  wide  world.  I  went  to  Car- 
shalton,  then  to  Bury  Hill.  From  thence  I  wrote  to  my 
father  and  mother,  requesting  their  permission  to  go  to 
public  places  ;  to  which  I  received  a  9nost  charming  re- 
fusal fro)/t  my  father^  afterwards  from  rnamma.  Went 
to  Mrs.  Birmester's  concert,  and  the  Duchess  of  Chan- 
dos's  party.  This  was  my  first  taste  of  the  gay  world, 
— may  I  not  like  its  savor  too  well  for  my  good !     At 

Mrs.  B 's  we  saw  the  great  people  of  the  city ;  at  the 

duchess's,  those  of  the  west  end  of  the  town.  Went 
witli  Agatha  to  the  Yearly  Meeting ;  its  effect  was  quiet- 
ing after  the  bustle  I  had  been  in;  it  was  not  nearly  so 
disagreeable  as  I  expected.  The  contrast  was  great  of 
the  Friends'  manners  with  those  I  had  been  accustomed 
to  at  Woodford ;  but  it  gave  me  the  opportunity  of  see- 
ing different  circles  in  the  world.  The  purity  of  the 
Quaker  mind  was  not  a  little  striking.  I  heard  a  sermon 
wliicli  I  wish  I  may  never  forget.  I  am  now  at  home, 
and  the  intoxicating  delight  of  first  getting  there  I  can- 
not describe. — Hannah  Chapman  Gurney^  June  ^th^ 
1805,  aged  18. 

*  St.  Thomas's  Hospital,  of  which  her  uncle  Abel  Chapman  was  resident 
Treasurer. 


Seventh  Month  4.] 


DAILY   KEADINGS.  185 


"  And  Abraham  took  the  wood  of  the  burnt  offering,  and  laid  it  upon  Isaac 
his  son  ;  and  lie  took  the  fire  in  his  hand,  and  a  knife  ;  and  they  went  both  oi 
them  together."— Genesis  xxii,  6. 

THE  first  meeting  was  very  serious.  At  tlie  end  I 
knelt,  supplicating  in  few  words  that  tlie  Lord's 
will,  not  ours,  might  15e  done.  I  requested  that  Friends 
might  be  stopped,  and  I  laid  before  them  a  concern  that 
had  been  for  some  time  on  my  mind,  but  which  had  of 
late  weiglitily  impressed  it ;  to  pay  a  visit,  in  the  love  of 
the  gospel,  to  Friends  in  Van  Diemen's  Land  and  parts 
of  Australia.  I  made  no  comment,  and  sat  down.  There 
was  a  profound  silence  for  some  time ;  then  A.  E.  Dale 
knelt,  and,  in  a  very  striking  manner,  petitioned  that,  as 
it  was  with  Abraham,  the  sacrifice  might  be  accepted, 
and  a  ram  provided  in  its  stead.  My  sister  Katharine, 
after  some  silence,  rose  and  said  she  had  been  reflecting 
on  Christ  as  the  leader  of  his  people  individually,  and 
as  head  of  his  Church.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  renewal 
of  her  faith  this  day,  her  heart  would  have  fainted ;  but, 
while  thinking  of  this  subject,  she  had  remembered  a  pas- 
sage in  the  life  of  the  patriarch  David ;  when  he  told  the 
prophet  that  it  was  his  intention  to  build  a  house  for  the 
Lord  his  God,  the  prophet  immediately  answered,  "  Do 
all  that  is  in  thy  heart,  for  the  Lord  thy  God  is  with 
thee  ;  "  but  after  he  was  cone,  the  king  received  a  mos- 
sage  from  the  Lord  forbidding  him  to  do  it ;  but  that  it 
was  well  that  it  was  in  his  heart. — Hannah  Chapman 
Backhouse,  ^d  month  20th,  1849;  aged  62. 


186  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Seventh  Month  5. 


"  The  people  which  sat  in  darkness  saw  great  light ;  and  to  them  which  sat  in 
the  region  and  shadow  of  death  light  is  sprung  up."— Matthew  iv.  16. 

AN  Epistle  to  Friends. — All  ye  friends  of  the 
Light,  though  we,  who  are  your  ministers  and 
messengers  of  Light,  be  cast  into  prisons,  holes  and  dun- 
'j^ons,  and  kept  there  by  the  devilish  cornipted  will  of 
man,  and  it  be  suffered  by  God,  the  Father  of  Light,  for 
the  fulfilling  of  the  Scriptures  upon  that  generation,  which 
was  prophesied  of  by  the  ministers  and  messengers  of 
Light  in  the  days  of  old,  who  suffered  in  the  same  na- 
ture, by  the  same  generation,  for  the  same  testimony ; 
and  though  the  Lord  yet  suffers  the  same  generation  to 
act  in  their  nature  against  us,  and  fill  up  their  measure 
of  wrath,  it  is  for  tlie  manifestation  of  His  truth  and 
exaltation  of  His  name  of  power.  And  through  all  this 
are  we  known  and  made  mani'est  unto  you  who  are  in 
the  Light,  and  the  heathen  come  to  know  and  confess 
that  He  is  greater  that  is  with  us,  than  all  they  that  can 
rise  up  against  us.  And  in  all  this  we  do  rejoice,  and 
through  our  sufferings  are  crowned  and  get  the  victory 
over  the  world,  without  [as  well]  as  witliin.  And  though 
we  are  kept  [in  prison,  yet  it  is  for]  the  Lord's  appointed 
time  ;  therefore,  Friends,  eye  the  Lord  in  all  these  things, 
and  look  not  out  at  man,  nor  at  what  man  can  do,  eitlier 
for  or  against  us;  but  eye  God  in  all  his  works  and  in 
:ill  his  instruments,  and  there  will  be  no  cause  for  dis- 
couragement ;  for  discouragement  and  fears,  doubts  and 
questionings,  spring  from  the  carnal  mind. — James  Par- 
nell. 


Seventh  Month  6.]  DAILY   READINGS.    *  18^7 

"  But  Jesus  said,  Suffer  little  children,  and  forbid  them  not,  to  come  unto 
ine  ;  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven."— Matt.  xix.  14. 

I  LONG  for  dear  little  children  to  be  taught  to  love 
and  fear  their  Creator,  to  be  instructed  that  Avhile 
they  bring  propensities  to  evil  into  the  world  with  them, 
there  is  in  their  hearts  in  the  very  same  place  where  evil 
Is,  a  counteracting  principle  which,  if  attended  to,  would 
overcome  all  that  is  wrong.  I  want  thee,  my  precious 
Mary,  to  exercise  those  talents  which  thou  possessest  to 
do  them  good ;  and  if  instead  of  giving  way  to  a  gloomy 
sorrow,  and  thinking  that  life  has  lost  its  charms, "thou 
wouldst  turn  thy  attention  to  those  interesting  little  ob- 
jects, thou  wouldst  find  comfort,  even  delight;  thou 
wouldst  be  helped  and  instructed  thyself,  for 

"  Teaching  we  learn,  and  giving  we  i"eceive.  " 

If  my  health  had  admitted  of  it,  I  should  have  entered 
into  the  concerns  of  the  various  institutions  in  our  society 
more  fully.  O,  do  thou  do  so.  Make  thyself  fully  ac- 
quainted with  our  religious  principles,  and  teach  them  to 
the  children. 

It  is  also  good  to  incite  children  to  feel  for  children, 
to  sympathize  with  one  another  to  represent  the  effects 
of  piety  and  virtue  upon  their  own  minds  to  their  little 
associates,  and  thus  attract  to  good. 

O,  impress  on  the  minds  of  children  the  pleasure  tlieiu 
is  in  rendering  kindness. —  Charlotte  Dudley^  died  aged 
38,  1825. 


188  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Seventh  Month   7. 


"  Remember  now  th}'  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  j-outh,  when  the  evil  days 
come  not,  nor  the  years  draw  nigh,  when  thou  shalt  say,  I  have  no  pleasure  in 
them."— Eccl.  xii.  1. 

HOW  needful  it  is  for  young  men  to  look  back  upon 
their  young  and  tender  years, — how  these  were 
spent  in  vanity,  and  many  times  in  much  looseness! 
How  few  are  there  that  rightly  consider  how  they  are 
kept  underlings  in  grace  all  tlieir  days  !  and  temptations 
many  times,  for  this  very  cause^  are  let  loose  upon  them 
— that  they  have  not  considered  nor  rightly  been  hum 
bled 'for  the  shis  of  their  youth.  How  lar  are  right 
thoughts  of  this  matter  from  the  consideration  of  many 
young  fools,  who  excuse  themselves  from  these  tilings  as 
being  but  the  tricks  of  their  youth,  and  thus  notably 
play  the  fool,  not  considering,  as  the  wise  man  says,  that 
for  these  things  God  Avill  bring  them  to  judgment. 

I  may,  if  I  mistake  not  my  case,  speak  something 
from  experience,  and  exhort  my  dear  children  to  walk 
more  warily  and  circumspectly  in  their  youth  than  I 
have  done.  It  is  not  enough  to  be  of  mild  and  douce 
nature,  and  blameless  as  to  public  ways  before  men.  I 
thought,  in  some  measure,  I  could  say,  it  had  been  so  with 
me ;  that  for  many  years  together  I  had  lived  a  blame- 
less way  before  men,  and  had  never  thought  all  this 
while  of  the  sins  of  my  youth  until  I  was  near  forty 
years  old  ;  and  then,  and  ever  since,  how  have  the  sins 
of  my  youth  been  presented  to  me — how  many  times 
have  I  laid  in  the  dust  in  the  consideration  of  them  I 
— Alexander  Jaffray,  1660. 


Seventh  Month  8.]  DAILY    READINGS.  l89 

"  And  this  I  do  for  the  gospel's  sake,  that  I  might  be  partaker  thereof  with 
you."— 1  Corinthiane  ix.  23. 

AFTER  a  solemn  silence  prevailed,  one  of  the  na- 
tives, a  supreme  Judge,  broke  it  by  addressing 
me  by  name,  which  he  had  caught  from  the  certificates  ; 
and  declaring  on  behalf  of  himself  and  the  islanders, 
that  the  manner  of  my  coming  among  them  was  very 
satisfactory,  because  what  had  been  read  and  spoken 
was  in  accordance  with  the  gospel,  which  they  had  been 
taught,  and  were  acquainted  with.  He  also  at  considera- 
ble length  touched  upon  the  great  distance  I  had  come 
over  the  deep  waters  to  see  them,  and  to  do  them  good ; 
that,  in  return,  their  hearts,  and  arms,  and  habitations, 
were  open  to  receive  me ;  duly  appreciating  the  disinter- 
estedness of  the  motive  that  had  induced  the  step,  hav- 
ing no  trade,  nor  other  object  in  view.  He  hoped  I  should 
visit  all  their  schools,  and  stroke  the  heads  of  the  chil- 
dren ;  that  he  should  now  deliver  them  into  my  hands. 
I  told  my  interpreter  to  say  that  the  dear  children  would 
always  have  a  strong  hold  and  a  strong  claim  on  my  heart. 
When  it  was  over,  the  natives  began  to  flock  round  us, 
and  to  shake  hands  with  us  in  a  very  hearty  manner,  with- 
out regard  to  order,  age,  or  sex,  from  the  humblest  peas- 
ant to  the  bronze-colored  queen,  her  two  aunts,  and  the 
numerous  chiefs,  who  I  think  are  the  stoutest,  most 
sriant-like  men  I  ever  saw  assembled  together. — Daniel 
Wheeler,  Tahiti,  1835. 

As  they  freely  receive  from  Christ,  so  they  give. 


190  DAILY    RKADINGS. 


[Seventh  Month  { 


"  And  said,  O  Lord  God  of  our  fathers,  art  not  thou  God  in  heaven  ?  and  rules 
not  thou  over  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  heathen.  —2  Chron.  xx.  6. 

THE  whole  of  my  certificates  were  then  audibly  read 
in  the  Tahitian  language  by  George  Pritchard, 
who  took  great  pains  to  give  ample  explanation  when- 
ever needful.  The  marked  attention  and  solidity  of 
countenance  manifested  by  the  Tahitians,  were  both  strik- 
ing and  comforting,  and  the  solemnity  which  spread  over 
this  large  assembly  had  previously  covered  my  mind  as 
with  a  mantle,  contriting  my  sjDirit  under  a  sense  that  the 
great  Master  himself  was  there.  After  reading  of  the 
certificates  was  gone  through,  profound  silence  reigned. 
I  asked  to  say  a  few  words.  George  Pritchard  agreed  to 
interpret  for  me.  I  then  said, "  I  have  no  wish  to  trespass 
upon  the  time  of  this  meeting.  I  was  desirous  that  these 
documents  might  be  read,  which  would  account  for  a 
stranger  being  present,  and  inform  all  that  I  came  not  here 
in  my  own  will,  but  in  the  will  of  my  Lord  and  Master, 
whose  I  am,  and  whom!  desire  to  serv«  to  my  latest  breath ; 
and  would  also  let  you  know  that  I  came  with  the  full 
unity  and  consent  of  that  branch  of  the  Christian  Church 
in  England,  of  which  I  am  a  member.  And  now,  grace, 
mercy,  and  peace  from  God,  the  Father,  and  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  be  multiplied  upon  all  the  inhabitants  of 
this  land  ;  and  may  the  God  of  peace,  who  brought  again 
from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus,  that  great  Shej^herd  of 
the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant, 
keep  our  hearts  and  minds,"  etc — Daniel  Wheeler ^  1835. 


Seventh  Month  10.]  DAILY   KEADIXGS.  191 

"  Greet  ye  one   another  with  a  kiss  of  charity.      Peace  be  with  you  all 
that  are  in  Christ  Jesus.    Amen."— 1  Peter  v.  14. 


I  HAVE  often  thought  of  replying  to  thy  last  very  ac- 
cejjtable  letter,  but  the  ability  seemed  so  small  for 
llie  performance  of  it,  that  I  have  put  it  off  from  time 
to  time,  hoping  I  might  feel  a  little  more  strength  ; 
but  as  age  and  infirmity  are  daily  increasing  upon  me,  I 
have  concluded  to  delay  no  longer,  having  desired  ex- 
ceedingly to  hear  from  thee  again,  and  of  thy  prosperity 
in  all  things  that  relate  to  thy  growth  and  advancement 
in  that  path  of  duty  intended  for  thee  by  the  great  Head 
of  the  Church,  when  he  laid  his  holy  hand  upon  thee  to 
pluck  thee  as  a  brand  from  the  burning,  that  thou  might- 
est  become  perfect  in  beauty,  and  as  a  polished  shaft  in 
his  quiver.     *     *     * 

My  mind  sometimes  seems  to  be  drawn  into  all  parts 
of  the  habitable  earth,  where  the  sons  and  daughters  of 
men  dwell ;  and  here  and  there  I  find  a  little  seed  strug- 
gling for  relief,  and  ray  soul  is  nearly  united  to  it  in  the 
bond  and  covenant  of  everlasting  love.  I  feel  almost 
daily  more  alive  to  the  sufferings  of  humanity  and  the 
groans  of  the  oppressed,  accompanied  with  the  persuasion 
that  a  great  work  is  on  the  wheel,  and  that  changes  will 
be  brought  about,  altogether  out  of  the  reach  of  human 
control,  both  in  Church  and  State.  Words  come  far  short 
of  expressing  the  concern  I  feel  for  our  own  society — that 
Friends  may  be  preserved  in  the  meekness  of  wisdom, 
under  the  direction  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  the  ancient  Rock 
and  Foundation  of  this  people. — Nathan  Hmit^  1836. 


192  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Seventu  Moxth  11 


"And  when  James,  Cephas,  and  John,  who  seemed  to  he  pil'ars.  perceived 
the  grace  that  was  given  unto  me,  they  gave  to  me  and  Baruahas  the  right  hands 
of  lellowship;  tliat  we  should  go  unto  the  heathen."— Gal.  ii.  9. 

TO  the  heart  that  is  upright  and  fixed,  trusting  in 
the  Lord,  the  trials  and  conflicts  of  time  are  higli- 
I'st,  ricliest  blessings,  operating  like  a  weight  of  costly 
treasure  on  a  pillar  erect;  the  greater  the  burden,  tlje 
firmer  and  stronger  it  stands  and  the  closer  it  presses 
the  foundation.     *     *     * 

In  the  course  of  the  last  two  years,  I  have  had  an  op- 
portunity of  witnessing  the  attempts  that  are  making  to 
benefit  the  benighted  inhabitants  of  various  islands  in 
the  Southern  and  N'orthern  Pacific  Ocean,  and  have  been 
enabled  to  visit,  almost  without  exception,  the  solitary 
and  secluded  allotments  of  those  engaged  in  this  work. 

Although  this  has  been  but  partially  the  case  in  New 
Zealand,  yet  opportunities  have  been  afforded  of  seeing 
the  faces  of  many  of  the  members  of  this  extensive  mis- 
sion from  remote  places,  as  well  as  of  those  who  reside 
in  this  immediate  neighborhood,  who,  with  others  scat- 
tered among  different  isles,  where  my  lot  has  been  cast, 
are  dwelling  among  strangers  in  a  strange  land.  Hav- 
ing dwelt  myself  among  a  people  whose  language  I  could 
not  understand,  gives  me  to  know  the  heart  of  a  stranger, 
and  to  feel  for  him ;  and  I  also  know  his  only  place  of 
snfety  and  refuge  to  be  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord  ;  if  He  be 
with  us,  we  have  nothing  to  fear,  for  He  is  love  itself, 
and  perfect  love  casteth  out  fear." — Danid  Wheeler^ 
New  Zealand,  1837. 


Seventh  Month  12.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  193 


"  Beloved,  think  it  not  ptrange  concerning  the  fiery  trial  which  is  to  try  you, 
as  though  some  strange  thing  happened  to  yon."— 1  Peter  iv.  12. 


A  TIME  of  trial  God  hath  permitted  to  come  upon 
us  to  try  our  faith  and  love  to  Him,  and  this  will 
work  for  the  good  of  them  that  through  faith  endure  to 
the  end.  I  believe  God  will  be  glorified  through  our 
steadfastness  in  suffering,  and  His  name  exalted  in  the 
patience  of  His  chosen  ones. 

When  I  heard  thou  Avast  called  into  this  trial  with  the 
servants  of  the  Most  High,  to  give  thy  testimony  to  the 
truth  of  what  we  have  believed,  it  came  into  my  heart  to 
write  thee.  Well,  my  dear  friend,  let  us  live  in  the  coun- 
sel of  the  Lord,  and  dwell  in  His  strength,  which  gives 
power  and  sufficiency  to  endure  all  things  for  His  name's 
sake,  and  then  the  blessings  of  His  heavenly  kingdom 
shall  be  our  portion.  Oh  !  dear  hearts,  let  us  give  up  all 
freely  unto  the  will  of  God,  that  our  God  may  be  glori- 
fied by  us,  and  we  comforted  together  in  the  Lord  Jesus; 
which  is  the  desire  of  my  soul.  We  are  more  than  forty 
here  who  suffer  innocently  for  the  testimony  of  a  good 
conscience,  because  we  cannot  swear  and  break  Christ's 
commands.  We  are  all  well,  and  the  blessing  and  pres- 
ence of  God  are  felt  to  be  with  us.  The  power  and  wis- 
dom of  the  Lord  God  be  with  thee. — Thomas  Loe^  1660. 


For  though  death  be  a  dark  passage,  it  leads  to  immortality,  and  that  is  r«iG 
ompeuse  enough  for  suffering  of  it.— Wm.  Penn, 


194  DAILY    KEADINGS.  [Seventh  Month  13. 

""  And  kin^s  ehall  be  thy  nursing  fathers,  and  their  queens  thy  nursing  mo- 
thers :  they  shall  how  down  to  thee  with  their  face  toward  the  earth,  and  lick 
up  the  dust  of  thy  feet ;  and  thou  shaltknow  that  T  am  the  Lord :  for  they  shall 
not  he  ashamed  that  wait  for  me." — Isaiah  xlix.  2.3. 

WE  could  not  find  an  opportunity  to  be  with  tLe 
Emperor  Alexander  till  the  21st  of  this  month, 
though  we  Avere  informed  that  he  had  heard  of  our  in- 
tention, and  desired  to  receive  us  as  early  as  he  could. 
Dear  William  Allen  and  another  Friend  Avent  Avith  me 
to  the  Pulteney  Hotel,  at  the  time  appointed  by  the  Eni- 
peror.  He  came  to  meet  us  at  the  door  of  his  apartment, 
took  us  by  the  hand  in  a  kind  manner,  and  said  that  for 
a  length  of  time  he  had  wished  for  an  opportunity  to  be 
with  us.  Tlirough  the  Empress,  Avho  Avas  at  Baden  Avhen 
I  Avas  at  Carlsruhe  last  Avinter,  he  said  that  lie  had  heard 
of  me  and  of  my  A^isit  there.  Then  he  inquired  into  sca^- 
eral  of  our  religious  testimonies,  principles  and  practices, 
to  which  dear  William  Allen  answered  in  English,  Avhich 
language  the  Emperor  speaks  Avell.  Whilst  William  was 
engaged  in  stating  the  nature  of  our  Christian  principles, 
the  Emperor  said  scA'^eral  times,  "  These  are  my  own  sen- 
timents also."  He  was  A^ery  particular  in  his  inquiries  re- 
specting our  Adews  and  practices  in  connection  with  Divine 
worship,  the  ministry,  the  influence  of  the  Divine  Spirit, 
etc.  He  made  several  A^ery  pertinent  remarks  on  these 
various  subjects,  particularly  on  prayer. — Stephen  GreJr 
let^  aged  40. 

Wast  thou,  till  God's  sweet  voice  o'ercame  thy  soul. 
And  led  thee  thro'  the  wide  world's  winding  vales, 

Where  cot,  and  dungeon,  and  the  kingly  haU^ 
Heard  in  thy  Saviour's  name,  thy  bold  love-pleading  call ! 

— Edwabd  Bbowk. 


Setekth  Month  14.]         DAILY   EEADINGS,  195 

*'  But  whcu  ye  pray,  use  not  vain  repetitions,  as  tlie  heathen  do :  for  they 
think  that  they  shall  be  hoard  for  their  much  speaking."— Matthew  vl.  7. 

THE  subject  of  public  prayer  has  been  feelingly 
brought  to  our  view,  and  the  belief  expressed  tha,t, 
in  the  exercise  of  this  solemn  duty,  more  care  is  nec€ssary. 
Tie  who  knows  the  hearts  of  all  requires  no  information 
from  his  poor  creature  man.  All  who  bow  the  knee  be- 
fore Him  should  ever  bear  in  mind  that  He  is  in  heaven 
and  we  upon  earth ;  that  He  is  God  and  we  His  creatures, 
therefore  our  words  should  be  few. 

We  are  indeed  in  great  mercy  encouraged  to  ask  Him 
for  all  that  we  are  brought  to  feel  we  really  need,  by  the 
assurance  that  if  we  thus  ask  in  faith,  our  petitions  shall  be 
granted.  Let  this  then  be  the  limit  of  our  prayers, 
whether  public  or  private — the  counsel  and  the  examples 
recorded  in  the  Holy  Scriptures  are  to  this  eflfect.  An 
•earnest  desire  has  therefore  been  felt  that  all  who  are 
drawn  to  the  solemn  service  of  public  prayer  may  keep  so 
near  to  the  leadings  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  not  to  exceed  the 
limit  of  the  true  spirit  of  pi-ayer. 

Signed  by  direction  and  on  behalf  of  the  meeting  of  the 
Ministers  and  elders  of  New  York,  held  6th  month,  1867 
— James  Congdon,  Clerk, 

•Twas  thus,  where  God  himself  is  known 

To  shine  withont  a  cloud, 
The  augei  myriads  round  his  throne. 

In  solemn  silence  bowM. 

And  all  were  still  and  silent  long, 

Nor  dared  one  note  to  raise. 
Till  burst  the  vast  ecstatic  song, 

Afid  hoav«n  was  filled  with  praise. 


196  DAILY    KEADINGS. 


[Sktsnth  Month  15. 


"A  virtuous  woman  is  a  crown  to  her  husband."— Proverbs  xii.  4. 

HOW  often  have  I  prayed  that  the  portion  of  her 
Lord's  spirit  which  animated  her*  devoted  life 
may  rest  on  me !  Her  heart,  her  tongue,  and  her  pen 
were  all  employed  in  promoting  the  cause  of  her  Divine 
Master,  whom  she  delighted  to  serve.  All  my  earthly 
joy  was  now  gone  to  heaven,  and  I  felt  alone  in  the  world ; 
but  my  spirit  seemed  never  to  be  separated  from  her: 
she  seemed  to  be  hovering  over  me  constantly.  My  heart 
does  sorrow  for  the  loss  of  her  sweet  society ;  to  me  she 
was  a  wise  and  sound  counselor,  'and  a  never-failing 
consoler  in  all  my  troubles.  I  do  mourn,  but  I  dare  not 
mui-mur.  I  hope  my  merciful  Heavenly  Father  will  keep 
me  in  the  hour  of  temptation,  and  be  with  me  in  the  last 
trying  hour,  and  prepare  me  to  join  this  precious  one 
and  all  by  whom  she  is  surrounded,  with  her  God  and 
Saviour  in  the  center  of  bliss. 

I  had  often  mentioned  to  my  precious  one  a  prospect 
of  religious  service  in  Ireland,  and  once  since  our  return 
home  from  our  last  Continental  journey ;  when  she  replied, 
"  I  have  no  concern  to  go  to  Ireland — thou  must  do  that 
when  I  am  taken  from  thee."  It  cost  me  many  tears  and 
prayers  before  I  could  be  resigned  to  request  a  certificate, 
alone,  for  the  first  time  since  our  union ;  but,  looking 
seriously  at  the  subject,  the  language  was  constantly  in 
n^y  heart,  the  liour  cometh  when  no  man  can  work. 
Life  is  uncertain,  and  I  can  only  expect  sustaining  grace 
by  faithfully  following  my  Lord. — John  Yeardley. 

*  Martha  Yeardley. 


Seventh  Month  16.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  197 


"  That  they  do  good,  that  they  be  rich  in  good  works,  ready  to  distribute, 
willing  to  communicate."—!  Tim.  vi.  18. 

I  WAITED  on  three  female  Friends  to  our  Yearly- 
Meeting,  now  in  session,  being  a  distance  of  three 
hundred  and  thirty  miles.  We  passed  many  schools,  at 
the  doors  of  which  we  generally  called  and  presented  the 
teachers  with  tracts  of  various  kinds,  which  were  cor- 
dially accepted.  While  our  horses  were  feeding,  we  often 
went  into  schools,  and  were  permitted  to  read  a  bio- 
graphical sketch  of  some  pious  child,  and  make  some  re- 
marks to  encourage  the  children  to  follow  their  amiable 
example. 

Such  a  scene  was  new  and  striking  to  the  children  and 
teachers,  and  my  mind  has  often  been  deeply  contrited, 
in  observing  the  susceptibility  which  has  prevailed,  and 
I  have  been  ready  to  exclaim,  "  Surely,  the  Lord  is  no  re- 
specter of  persons."  As  to  the  effect  of  these  impressions, 
I  shall  not  attempt  to  predict.  I  ha^e  observed  among 
the  numerous  applicants  in  new  countries  to  be  received 
into  membersliip  with  us,  they  mostly  were  such  as  in  child- 
hood or  youth  had  some  acquaintance  with  Friends. 

Being  one  of  the  committee  for  distribution,  I  have 
sometimes  spent  days  in  company  with  a  dear  friend,  in 
going  from  school  to  school,  and  I  think  may  esteem  them 
some  of  the  happiest  days  of  my  life. 

I  believe  last  year  I  distributed  to  about  one  hundred 
schools. — Joseph  Tallcot,  1820. 


198  DAILY   KEADINGS. 


[Seventh  Month  IT. 


"  For  the  creature  was  made  subject  to  vanity^  not  Avillinglj-,  but  by  reason  of 
Mm  who  hath  subjected  the  same  in  hope;  because  the  creature  itself  also  shal) 
be  delivered  from  the  l)ondage  of  corniption  into  th&  glorious  liberty  of  the 
children  of  GodJ'— Eomarifv  xx.  20. 21. 

OUR  state  in  this  life  is  a  state  of  pi*obatioD.  Such 
was  tl>e  state  of  man  originally,  and  such  it  is 
now.  And  in  order  that  man  at  fii-st,  or  ever  after, 
might  be  able  to  conquer,  or  be  justly  punishable  for  de- 
sertion or  defeat,  he  was,  is,  and  must  be,  armed  with 
armor  invincible  against  all  the  jx^wei^s  that  w^ere  or 
are  suiFered  to  assail  him»  This  is  just  our  ground,  our 
state  and  situation :  subject  to  vanity,  or  to  many  and 
various  temptations,  yet,  being  inwardly  armed  with  the 
spirit  of  Omnipotence,  so  far  as  we  stand  faithful  and 
fight  valiantly  in  the  strength  afforded  us,  we  are  sure  of 
victory.  Our  strength  or  help  is  only  in  God ;  but  then 
it  is  near  us,  it  is  in  us — a  force  superior  to  all  possible 
opposition — a  force  that  never  was  nor  can  be  foiled. 
*     *     * 

Many  there  are  who  put  light  for  darkness,  and  dark- 
ness for  light;  bitter  for  sweet,  and  sweet  for  bitter. 
They  call  the  divine  light,  "  which  lighteneth  every  man 
that  Cometh  into  the  world,"*  a  natural  light,  an  ignis 
fatuus,  or  by  some  other  ignominious  epitliet,  though 
the  Scriptures  declare  it  to  be  the  very  life  of  the  holy 
Word,  that  was  in  the  beginning  with  God,  and  truly 
was  God. — Job  Scott. 


Seventh  Month  18.1 


DAILY   READINGS.  199 


'•  Confess  your  faults  one  to  another,  and  pray  one  for  another,  that  ye  may  be 
healed.  The  effectual  fei-vent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man  availeth  much.  '—James 
V.  16. 

HE  uttered  the  following  prayer :  "  O  Lord,  rny  God  I 
the  amazing  horrors  of  darkness  were  gathered 
around  me,  and  covered  me  all  over,  and  I  saw  no  way 
to  go  forth ;  I  felt  the  depth  and  extent  of  the  misery  of 
my  fellow-creatures  se])arated  fi-om  the  Divine  harmony, 
and  it  was  heavier  than  I  could  bear,  and  I  was  crushed 
down  under  it ;  I  lifted  up  ray  hand,  I  stretched  out  my 
arm,  but  there  was  none  to  help  me ;  I  looked  round 
about,  and  was  amazed.  In  the  depths  of  misery,  O  Lord  ! 
I  remembered  that  thou  art  omnipotent ;  that  I  had  called 
thee  Father;  and  I  felt  that  I  loved  thee,  and  I  was 
made  quiet  in  my  will,  and  I  waited  for  deliverance  from 
thee.  Thou  hadst  pity  upon  me,  when  no  man  could  help 
me ;  I  saw  that  meekness  under  suffering  was  showed  to 
us  in  the  most  affecting  example  of  thy  Son,  and  thou 
taught  me  to  follow  him,  and  I  said, '  Thy  will,  O  Father, 
be  done!'" — John  Wbolman,  1172 

A  King  in  his  crown  may  rejoice ; 

And  Rank  of  its  titles  be  proud  ; 
The  Singer  exult  in  the  charms  of  his  voice  ; 

And  Pomp,  in  the  gaze  of  a  crowd, 
And  the  martyr  of  weaiin,  rendered  poor  by  his  store, 

Be  bowed  to  by  those  who  his  idol  adore. 

Yet  the  King  mutt  descend  from  his  throne, 

When  the  day  of  Jehovah  shall  come  ; 
And  titles  be  trustless,  and  pomp  stand  alone, 

And  the  voice  of  the  Singer  be  dumb  ; — 
And  Mammon,  once  worshipped,  be  loath'd  and  abhorr'd. 

In  the  just  and  tlie  terrible  day  of  the  Loud  I 

—Bernard  Barton. 


200  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Seventh  Month  19. 


"  Choosing  rather  to  suffer  afflictiou  with  the  people  of  God,  than  to  enjoy  the 
pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season."— Hebrews  xi.  25. 

THE  same  divine  principle  of  light  and  life  which  led 
me  out  of  the  forms  and  ceremonies,  to  worship  the 
F:ither  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  also  led  me  by  its  secret 
teachings  into  a  straight  and  narrow  way,  as  to  all  super- 
fluities in  dress  and  address.  Simplicity  of  dress  and  ad- 
dress is  becoming  an  humble  folio w<^r  of  a  crucified  Saviour, 
whose  garments  or  vesture  was  so  unlike  the  fashions  of 
that  day,  that  they  cast  lots  for  it  as  a  curiosity,  for  it 
was  without  seam.  There  is  a  cross  to  many  among  us 
in  these  things,  as  the  practice  of  them  declares  to  the 
beholders  whose  disciples  we  profess  to  be ;  and  although 
all  power  iu  heaven  and  earth  is  given  unto  Him,  yet, 
because  the  world  in  their  foolish  vain  hearts  despise  the 
Avisdom  of  God  in  these  things,  intended  to  crucify  us 
to  the  spirit  of  the  Avorld,  and  the  pomps  and  vanities 
of  it,  they  are  ashamed  of  the  cross,  and  would  rather 
enjoy  the  pleasures  of  a  sinful  world,  which  are  only  for  a 
season,  tlian  suffer  affliction  with  the  people  of  God  in 
the  scoffings  of  the  world.  Although  I  knew  the 
Quakers  held  these  testimonies,  and  that  they  were 
outward  marks  of  union  with  them,  nevertheless,  I  was 
ilesirous  to  know  the  ground  of  them  in  myself^  and  not 
to  take  up  any  tiling  in  wliich  such  great  salvation  was 
concerned,  but  from  a  clear  conviction  that  it  was  from  the 
living  foundation  God  hath  laid  in  my  heart,  and  not  man. 
— John  Conron^  Dublin,  Ireland,  IV 72. 


Seventh  Month  20.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  201 


"  For  the  Lord  knovveth  the  way  of  the  righteous :  but  the  way  of  the  ungodly 
shall  perish."— Psalm  i.  6. 

I  WENT  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends.  It  was 
an  interesting  time,  and  I  think  wholesome  to  me  in 
many  ways.  In  the  first  place,  it  afforded  me  a  fresh 
stimulus,  on  general  grounds,  to  seek  the  Lord  with  all 
my  heart ;  and  secondly,  it  introduced  me  to  a  more  par- 
ticular acquaintance  with  the  Society.  I  thought,  some 
time  since,  I  was  advancing  to  a  greater  agreement  with 
this  most  excellent  religious  body ;  but  I  now  feel  a  little 
thrown  back ;  but  this  is  at  a  time  of  general  weakness. 
I  can,  in  theory,  agree  with  them  in  much  of  their  doc- 
trine of  spiritual  guidance ;  but  I  fear  greatly  that  my 
practice  is  contrary  to  tlie  precepts  they  build  upon  it. 
If  it  be  true,  that  there  is  this  living  power  which  will 
direct  us,  under  all  circumstances,  in  the  sure  path  which 
leadeth  to  life,  O  what  a  happiness  to  know  it ;  and  what 
a  misery  to  be  without  it !  O  that  the  Lord  would  be 
pleased  to  give  me  this  holy  gift  in  larger  measure,  and 
to  bestow  upon  me  a  heart  to  follow  and  obey  him. — ■ 


Jesus,  in  secret  still  to  thee, 

O  !  point  my  holier  way; 
Bid  me  from  each  giy  chain  be  free, 

To  own  a  Saviour's  sway. 

Bid  me  beneath  thy  parent  wing, 
Still,  Lord,  in  peace  remain  ; 

That  every  charm  the  world  can  bring 
May  tempt  my  soul  iu  vain. 


202  DAILY    KEADIXGS. 


[Seventh  Month  21. 


"  Who«e  adorning  let  it  not  be  that  outward  adorning  of  plaiting  the  hair,  and 
wearing  of  gold,  or  of  putting  on  of  apparel." — 1  Peter  iii.  3. 

Mr  soul  was  humbled  with  the  weiglit  of  gratitude 
for  the  renewings  of  the  Holy  Ghost  once  more 
vouchsafed  to  a  backsliding  sinner.  Under  a  sense  of 
overwhelming-  mercy,  aud  subdued  by  the  power  of  di- 
vine love,  I  again  entered  into  covenant  with  the  God  of 
Israel,  that  if  he  would  be  my  shepherd  I  would  join 
with  the  flock  of  Christ,  follow  their  foosteps,  and  be- 
come whatever  he  would  have  me  to  be. 

Hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness  became  the  pre- 
vailing sensations  of  my  soul,  and  I  long  for  the  com- 
plete conquest  of  sin  above  all  things.  Lord,  in  Thy  mer- 
cy and  in  Thy  faithfulness,  answer  my  continued  prayer 
unto  Thee,  that  I  may  show  forth  Thy  praisefrom  day  to 
day^  and  live  to  Thy  glory  here,  and  in  Thy  presence 
hereafter.     *     *     * 

The  prevailing  desire  of  my  soul  is,  to  "  stand  still  and 
see  the  salvation  of  God"  in  any  way,  and  through 
whatever  means.  He  may  appoint,  and  to  become  quali- 
fied to  pursue  the  common  business  of  the  day  which 
may  be  asb^igned  me  with  diligence  and  spirituality, 
doing  everything  in  season,  and  "  as  unto  tha  Lord." 

Preparations  for  a  removal  from  my  precious  maternal 
home,  from  tlie  delightful  shelter  of  doiiestic  love,  from 
the  multiplied  enjoyments  of  a  London  resi  'ence,  and 
from  the  valued  privileges  of  refined  and  Christian  socie- 
ty, produced  feelings  powerfully  oppressive. —  Ch  irlotte, 
Dudley,  1820. 


Seventh  Month  22.]  DAILY   READINGS.  203 

*'  For  whom  the  Loixl  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth  every  son  whom 
he  receiveth."— Heb.  xii.  6. 

THE  allotment  of  suffering  and  sorrow  is,  in  itself,  a 
proof  of  heavenly  love,  and  grace  to  see  and  re- 
ceive affliction  is  indeed  to  be  appreciated  as  a  further 
blessing  from  the  Fatherly  Hand.  May  all  cast  them- 
selves into  the  arms  of  Infinite  Mercy,  remembering  that 
the  Lord  dotli  not  afflict  willingly,  and  "  although  He 
cause  grief,  yet  hath  He  compassion."  How  sweet  it  is 
when  we  are  in  pain  and  sorrow  to  think  of  Him  who 
bore  our  infirmities,  by  whose  stripes,  bruises  and  incon- 
ceivable anguish,  the  gift  of  pardon  and  peace  is  procured 
for  us,  and  our  lighter  afflictions  made  blessings,  as 
drawing  us  to  look  from  the  things  which  are  seen  and 
temporal,  to  the  things  that  are  not  seen  but  are  eternal. 

I  am  by  no  means  in  the  heights.  My  own  experience 
qualifies  me  more  for  sympathy  with  the  poor,  the  blind 
and  the  ignorant,  than  with  a  state  of  abounding,  or  where 
light  and  knowledge  seem  to  mark  the  path.     *     *     * 

The  guidance  and  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  recog- 
nized by  Friends,  does  not  seem  understood  by  those 
deemed  most  pious  in  other  denominations,  and  yet  it 
would  be  wrong  to  judge  these  as  unfaithful.  Still  we 
must  acknowledge  our  privilege,  and  never  did  I  see 
more  reason  to  use  it  with  reverent  thankfulness. 

To  cease  from  man,  and  really  depend  on  Christ,  de- 
mands continued  subjection  of  will,  and  much  inward  at- 
tention to  the  working  of  that  faith  which  purifies  the 
heart. — Elizabeth  Dudley^  1834. 


204  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Seventh  Month  23. 


"  Withhold  not  thou  thy  tender  mercies  from  me,  O  Lord;  let  thy  loving- 
kindness  and  tliy  truth  continually  preserve  me."— Psalm  xl.  11. 

"  Be  pleased,  O  Lord,  to  deliver  me.  O  Lord  make  haste  to  help  me." — 
Pealm  xl.  13. 


O 


THOU  that    seest    in    secret,   that   knowest  all 


inward  parts  of  all  men,  and  in  whose  pure  sight  iniquity 
is  discerned  and  judged, — may  it  please  thee  yet  once 
again  to  regard  and  pity  thy  frail  and  faltering  servant : 
who  am  not  worthy  to  be  accounted  of  thy  household ; 
and  yet  cannot  rest  satisfied  in  anything  short  of  a 
pure  and  perfect  surrender  and  sacrifice  of  my  all  unto 
■  thy  service.  O  !  thy  presence,  thy  purifying,  preserving 
energy  and  virtue  inwardly  communicated  to  my  soul — 
how  has  it  helped  me  along  in  my  earthly  pilgrimage — 
how  has  it  sustained  me  in  the  year  of  drought,  and  in 
the  hour  of  temptation  and  of  trial !  In  all  the  depths 
into  which  I  have  been,  and  may  be,  cast  or  permitted 
to  be  plunged.  Lord !  thou  knowest  that  nothing  has 
been  able,  or  I  trust  shall  be  able,  to  induce  me  to 
deny  that  thou  has  blessed  me  and  done  me  good. 
Though  thou  slay  me,  yet  will  I  endeavor  after  resigna- 
tion and  submission  ;  for  without  thee  what  am  I  ?  O 
my  Father !  is  there  yet  a  door  of  hope  for  me,  yet  a 
little  access  for  me,  before  I  go  hence,  and  of  men  I  am 
seen  no  more  ?  May  I  presume  to  plead  with  thee  for 
forgiveness  and  pardon,  who  am  unworthy  to  hope  foi 
it ;  having  so  often  transgressed  and  oifended  by  unfaith- 
fulness and  many  backslidings. — John  Barclay^  1819. 


Seventh  Month  34.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  205 


"  For  unto  us  a  child  is  bom,  unto  us  a  son  is  p\ven  :  and  the  government  shall 
be  upon  his  shoulder,  and  his  name  shall  be  called  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  the 
Mighty  Go;!,  the  Everlasting  Father,  the  Prince  of  Peace."— I sa.  ix.  6. 

THE  Son  of  God,  who  is  called  Christ,  the  Prince  of 
Peace  and  Rigliteousness,  is  one  with  the  Father 
ill  power  and  dominion,  and  was  with  him  before  the 
world  was.  By  him  the  Father  created  all  things,  and 
without  him  was  not  anything  made  that  was  made.  He 
is  the  Heir  of  all  things,  and  is  the  Prince  of  the  king- 
dom of  righteousness,  of  peace,  and  truth.  He  is  the 
word  and  power  by  which  all  things  consist,  and  is  the 
salvation  of  mankind,  and  the  very  life  of  the  world. 
He  inherits  life  and  immortality,  and  is  the  Redeemer, 
Saviour,  Deliverer,  and  Restorer  of  the  children  of  men. 
He  is  the  very  wisdom  and  power  of  the  Creator,  and  the 
Father  doeth  nothing  without  the  Son,  and  by  him  and 
through  him  the  Father  bringeth  all  things  to  pass.  By 
him  the  Father  will  judge  the  whole  earth,  and  all  the 
children  of  Adam  therein.  This  Christ  Jesus,  the  Son  of 
God,  is  the  life  and  light  of  the  world,  and  hath  enlight- 
ened all  mankind.  Every  one  that  cometh  into  the  world 
is  lighted  by  him  with  the  true  light  of  life  or  condemna- 
tion ;  and  what  the  Son  doeth,  the  Father  doeth  also. — 
Bdwa7'dJSurrough, 'London,  1657. 


It  seems  but  reasonable  that  those  whom  God  has  distinguished  from  others 
by  his  goodness,  should  distinguish  themselves  to  him  by  their  gratitude.— 
Wm.  Penn. 


206 


DAILY    READINGS.  [Seventh  Moxth  25. 


"  Havin:?  there loro  these  promises,  dearly  beloved,  let  ns  cleanse  ourselves 
ft-om  all  filthiness  of  the  flesh  and  spirit,  perfecting  holiness  in  the  fear  of  God." 
— 2  Cor.  vii.  1. 

I  HAD  been  employed  in  bringing  myself  to  a  more 
circnmspect  life,  being  pretty  careful  in  my  conduct, 
and  conversation,  and  just  in  my  dealings  among  men, 
and  was  willing  to  believe  I  had  attained  to  great  mat- 
ters, and  that  I  might  now  take  up  my  rest ;  for  by  my 
own  strength,  abilities,  and  contrivance,  I  could  not  only 
keep  up  a  fair  upright  character  among  men,  and  make  my 
life  happy,  and  myself  respected ;  but  also  (Oh !  the  de- 
ceitful workings  of  Satan  !  Oh  !  the  mystery  of  iniquity !) 
that  it  would  at  the  close  of  time  here  gain  me  an  inher- 
itance in  the  regions  of  purity  and  peace,  among  all  those 
who  are  sanctified.  But,  how  can  I  sufficiently  adore  my 
great  and  good  Master,  for  his  continued  regard  and 
care  over  me,  in  that  he  did  not  suffer  me  to  remain  long 
in  this  state  of  delusion  artd  error.  He  disturbed  my  false 
rest,  and  made  me  at  times  exceedingly  uneasy  with  it, 
and  gave  me  at  length  to  see,  that,  notwithstanding  my 
regularity  of  behavior  and  all  my  boasted  attainments, 
T  fell  far  short  of  that  purity  which  all  the  vessels  in 
the  Lord's  house  must  come  to ;  and  that  I  was  yet  un- 
der the  law,  which  cannot  make  the  comers  thereunto 
pei-fect,  not  having  passed  under  the  flaming  sword, 
nor  felt  the  day  of  the  Lord  to  be  come,  which  burns 
like  an  oven. —  Wm.  Savery^  1778. 

Death  cannot  kill  what  never  dies. 


Seventh  Month  26.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  207 


"  I  will  put  my  law  in  their  inward  parts,  and  write  it  in  their  hearts,  and  will 
be  their  God,  and  they  shall  be  my  people."— Jer.  xxxi.  33. 

MAN  is  the  head  of  human  government,  and  is  frail 
and  fallible.  Christ  is  the  head  in  his  sj)iritual 
kingdom  or  church,  and  is  all-powerful  and  all-wise. 
The  laws  of  one  are  external ;  those  of  the  other,  enforced 
as  they  are  by  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  the  preaching  of 
the  gospel,  are  written  on  the  heart,  apprehended,  and 
applied  through  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  laws  of  one 
are  to  be  established  and  maintained  by  human  authority 
and  outward  means  ;  those  of  the  other  by  divine, 
inward,  gentle,  and  self-persuasive  power  and  convictions. 
In  the  latter,  the  interference  of  human  authority  tends 
to  mar  the  work,  and  to  destroy  the  spiritual  vitality. 
Christ  particularly  pointed  out  this  distinction,  and  cau- 
tioned his  followers  against  overlooking  it,  and  acting 
on  the  spirit  and  principles  of  the  world.  "  Ye  know  that 
the  princes  of  the  Gentiles  exercise  dominion  over  them; 
and  they  that  are  great  exercise  authority  upon  them ; 
but  it  shall  not  be  so  among  you,  but  whosoever  vrill 
be  great  among  you,  let  him  be  your  minister ;  and  who- 
soever will  be  chief  among  you,  let  him  be  your  servant." 
Consequently  the  greatness  and  power  of  this  world 
have  no  place,  as  such,  in  the  kingdom  or  church  of  Christ ; 
on  the  contrary,  they  are  often  disqualifying  circum- 
stances and  appendages,  to  be  regarded  rather  with  jeal- 
ousy as  snares  and  temptations,  than  as  helps  in  the  king- 
dom of  Christ,  and  in  the  government  of  his  church. — 
John  Allerij  England,  1853. 


208  DAILY    HEADINGS. 


[SrVENTH  MOXTH  27. 


"  I  dwell  in  the  high  and  holy  place,  with  him  alifo  that  i^^  of  a  contrite  and 
humble  spirit,  to  revive  the  spirit  of  the  humble,  and  to  revive  the  heart  of  the 
contrite  ones."— Isa.  Ivii.  15. 

I  BELIEVE  among  all  sorts  of  people  "  those  who  fear 
God  and  work  righfeousness  are  accepted  of  Hhn :  " 
but,  as  faithfulness  agreeable  to  knowledge  is  the  terms 
of  our  acceptance,  it  behooves  iis  to  seek  earnestly  for 
strength  to  do,  as  well  as  to  be  desirous  to  know,  the  heav- 
enly Father's  will ;  and  whoever  is  thus  sincerely  exer- 
cised is  likely  to  attain  to  his  salvation. 

I  am  sorrowfully  sensible  of  the  great  declension  there 
is  amongst  us  as  a  religious  society,  from  primitive  purity 
and  love  to  God  ;  nevertheless,  the  principle  of  light  and 
life  we  profess  is  unchangeably  the  same  ;  and  there  are 
those  yet  with  us  who,  moving  under  its  influence,  rejoice 
in  the  manifestation  thereof  to  their  souls.  That  others 
under  the  same  profession  should  run  counter  thereto, 
is  no  more  than  may  be  expected,  though  much  to  be  la- 
mented ;  for  as  now  many  hold  the  profession  from  edu- 
cation, and  are  born  with  passions  like  other  men  ;  until 
those  passions  come  under  Divine  restriction,  they  will 
produce  their  natural  fruits. 

May  the  God  of  all  consolation,  who  raised  from  the 
dead  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  great  and  true  Shepherd 
of  his  own  sheep,  "  so  manifest  him  as  such  to  thy  soul, 
that  hearing  His  voice  thou  mayst  follow  Him,"  and 
arrive  to  such  an  establishment  in  righteousness  as  to 
be  favored  with  peace. —  Catherine  Phillips,  1778. 


Seventh  Month  28.]  DAILY  READINGS.  209 

"  Whatsoever  thy  hand  flndeth  to  do,  do  it  with  all  thy  mij^ht."  -  Eccl.  ix.  10. 

IF  we  are  called  to  any  station  or  situation  in  life,  I 
do  not  know  that  we  ought  to  reject  it,  merely  be- 
cause responsibility  is  attached  to  it;  for  if  we  can  do 
good,  we  should  not  shrink  from  labor  because  it  is  un- 
pleasant to  us  ;  but  if  duty  points  the  path,  set  our  hands 
and  our  hearts  cheerfully  to  work. 

There  is  scarcely  anything  in  life  to  which  some  de- 
gree of  responsibility  is  not  annexed.  If  we  are  blessed 
with  sound  limbs,  we  ought  to  use  them  according  to 
their  office  ;  if  with  a  good  understanding,  we  are  bound 
to  cultivate  it.  If  we  are  possessed  of  riches,  we  should 
use  them  as  good  stewards  who  are  to  accoutit  for  them. 
If  we  have  servants,  we  are  responsible  for  our  care  and 
good  treatment  of  them;  and  if  children,  much  more  so, 
and  likewise  to  labor  for  their  benefit  in  various  respects. 
No  relationship  or  situation  in  life  can  be  exempt  from 
responsibility  ;  and  though  we  may  not  covet  those  situ- 
ations where  it  is  increased,  to  endeavor  to  escape  it 
wholly  will  be  in  vain,  because  in  the  nature  of  things 
impossible.  To  be  content  whatever  we  are,  or  in  what- 
ever circumstances  we  are  placed,  filling  up  the  mea- 
sure of  our  duties  as  well  as  we  are  able,  is  the  onlv 
wise  and  safe  plan — the  plan  which  will  most  promote 
our  happiness  in  the  present  life,  and  give  us  a  well- 
grounded  hope  that  we  shall  receive  the  welcome  sentence 
of  "Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter 
thou  into  the  joy  of  the  Lord." — Margaret  Woods^  1818. 


210  DAILY    KEADINGS. 


[Seventu  Month  2a 


"  And  said  unto  them,  go  ye  also  into  the  vineyard,  and  whatsoever  i3  right 
I  will  give  you.    And  they  went  their  way."— Matthew  xx.  -4. 

"IVT'OW  you  are  called  to  dress  the  garden  ;  let  not 
JL  1  the  weeds  and  wild  plants  remain.  Peevishness 
is  a  weed ;  anger  is  a  weed ;  self-love  and  self-will  are 
weeds ;  pride  is  a  wild  plant ;  covetousness  is  a  wild 
plant ;  lightness  and  vanity  are  wild  plants ;  and  Inst  is 
the  root  of  all.  And  these  things  have  had  a  room  in 
your  garden,  and  have  been  tall  and  strong ;  and  truth, 
innocency  and  equity  have  been  left,  and  could  not  be 
found  until  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  arose  and  searched 
out  that  which  was  lost,  and  brought  again  tliat  which 
was  driven  away.  *  *  *  Your  work  shall  be  to 
watch  and  keep  out  the  fowls  of  the  air,  the  unclean 
beasts,  the  wild  bears,  and  the  subtle  foxes,  and  H«> 
that  is  the  Husbandman  will  pluck  up  the  wild  plants 
and  weeds,  and  make  defense  about  the  vines ;  He  will 
tell  you  what  to  do  ;  He,  who  is  Father  of  the  vineyard, 
will  be  nigh  you.  Now,  read  within,  or  you  will  stumble  ; 
and  what  is  not  clear  unto  you,  wait  for  the  fulfilling : 
'  He  that  helicvefh,  inaJceth  not  haste.''  But  you  who  are 
covered  with  leaves  only,  the  Sun  will  pearch  :  you  must 
come  to  the  fall  of  the  leaf,  and  to  the  time  of  deadness 
and  winter,  before  the  life  will  appear,  and  the  living 
springs  be  opened.  You  must  cast  off  your  own  gar- 
ments, and  then  the  Son  will  clothe  you,  but  not  before 
you  are  naked.  You  must  not  have,  no,  not  so  much 
as  an  apron  of  fig-leaves  to  cover  your  nakedness,  for 
shame  must  come  upon  all  flesh. — James  PameU, 


Seventh  Month  30.] 


DAILY   READINGS,  211 


"  Of  myself  1  will  not  glory,  but  in  mine  infirmities.'"— 2  Cor.  xii.  5. 

I  AM  indeed  prepared  to  sympathize  by  experience 
with  tlie  most  faint  and  feeble  of  my  fellow-travel- 
ers. Yes,  I  can  cordially  take  the  poorest  of  the  men- 
tal poor  by  the  hand,  and  say,  my  brother,  or  my  sister, 
though  thou  mayst  not  be  able  to  rejoice  in  thy  tribula- 
tions, yet  endeavor  to  be  thankful ;  and  low  or  weak  as 
thou  art  ready  to  apprehend  thyself,  yet  count  it  a  great 
mercy  to  have  been  preserved  hitherto,  through  the 
shocks  and  shades  and  other  vicissitudes  of  thy  proba- 
tionary course,     *     * 

I  unite  with  thee  in  the  sentiment,  that  there  is  more  of 
spiritual  life  in  society  than  in  solitude ;  and  that  there 
is  more  of  this  society  in  towns  than  in  fields  and  in 
woods,  is  equally  true  ;  yet  we  cannot  but  love  rural 
scenes  ;  and  impressed  perhaps  with  the  feeling  that  "  God 
made  the  country,  and  man  made  the  town,''  we  find  the 
latter  suffer  greatly  by  comparison,  as  all  artificial  things 
must  do,  when  placed  in  contrast  with  the  workmanship 
of  a  perfect  Creator.  Yet,  on  the  whole,  botb  the  quan- 
tity and  quality  of  active  or  positive  virtue  is  found  to 
rise  higher  in  social  than  secluded  life ;  and  this  fact  I 
think  applies  in  a  remarkable  manner,  though  I  can 
scarcely  tell  why,  to  our  religious  society;  still  I  love 
the  country ;  and  the  life  of  a  farmer,  such  as  I  could  ima- 
gine, though  it  might  seem  a  little  Arcadian,  has  charms 
even  for  my  age,  which  no  other  employment  possesses, 
— Jonathan  Hictchinson,  18  27, 


212  DAILY   KEADINQS. 


[Seventh  Month  31. 


"  As  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water  brooks,  so  panteth  my  soul  after  thee, 
O  God/'— P!=ahn  xlii.  1. 

MY  attachment  has  not  been  more  cordial  or  agreea- 
ble to  any  young  Friend  in  England,  and  my 
heart  leaped  with  joy  to  find  thou  art  willing  to 
acknowledge  a  state  of  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteous- 
ness, which,  if  thou  cherish  and  dwell  in,  thou  never  need 
to  doubt,  my  dear  friend.  Mill  eventually  be  crowned 
with  the  enjoyment  of  the  heavenly  promise,  "  thou  shalt 
be  filled."  Thou  art  favored  with  amiable  and  benevolent 
dispositions,  which  I  hope  thou  hast  wisely  determined 
shall  not  be  eclipsed  by  a  conformity  to  the  god  of  this 
world;  nor  enslaved  by  its  rudiments  and  maxims,  its 
philosophy  and  vain  deceit,  but  rather  with  a  holy 
magnanimity,  regardless  of  the  world's  dread  laugh,  thou 
wilt  resolve  to  implore  the  Omnipotent  Hand  that  formed 
thee  for  glory,  immortality,  and  eternal  life,  to  finish  the 
glorious  work  He  has  begun,  by  creating  thee  anew  in 
Christ  Jesus  unto  every  good  word  and  work ;  bringing 
thee  under  the  dominion  of  His  power  and  spirit,  the  fruit 
of  which  is  love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffering,  gentleness, 
goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temperance. 

Thou  ask  my  advice,  my  deaf  friend;  it  is  very  evident, 
thou  art  under  the  especial  care  of  an  infinitely  better 
Instructor,  who  has  ah'oady  uttered  his  soft  and  heavenly 
voice,  to  teach  thee  that  the  first  step  towards  religion  is 
ti  ue  humility. —  Wni.   Savery  to  Elisabeth  Gurnc}/,  IV 98. 

Unless  virtue  sfuide  as  our  choice  must  be  in  vain. 


Eighth  Month  1]  DAILY   READINGS.  213 

"  But  other?  fell  on  good  ground  and  brought  forth,  some  an  hundred  fold, 
eome  sixty  folJ,  some  tuirty  fold. "—Matthew  xiii.  8. 

THE  ground,  of  which  darkness  is  disobedience,  which 
made  Christ  say  to  the  Jews  :  "  If  you  will  do  the 
will  of  God,  you  shall  know  of  my  doctrine,  if  it  be  of 
God  or  not ;"  I  say,  the  mystery,  power  and  virtue  of 
Christianity  is  shut  up  in  this  divine  seed ;  and  if  thou, 
O  reader !  knowest  it  not,  but  art  only  speculatively 
a  Christian,  open  thy  heart,  and  let  it  into  the  good 
ground,  and  thou  shalt  quickly  find  the  efficacy  ind 
excellency  of  it  in  the  fruits  that  will  spring  from  it.  The 
increase  will  be  very  great,  and  the  taste  thereof  sweeter 
much  than  the  honey  or  the  honey-comb.  "  She  is  a  tree 
of  life  (said  a  wise  and  a  great  king  of  old  time)  to  all 
them  that  lay  hold  upon  her ;  and  happy  is  every  one 
that  retaineth  her:  for  her  fruit  is  better  than  gold,  and 
her  revenue  than  choice  silver."  It  was  by  him  stjded 
wisdom,  because  it  made  him  wise ;  and  Avill  make  every 
one  that  is  taught  by  it ;  for  it  makes  people  wise  to 
salvation  by  teaching  them  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  to 
depart  from  iniquity  and  every  evil  way.  All  such  are 
said  to  have  a  good  understanding.  The  apostle  Paul 
also  calleth  it  the  "  grace  of  God,  that  bringeth  salvation, 
that  hath  appeared  to  all  men,"  and  grace,  because  it  is 
God's  free  gift,  not  our  merit  of  purchase.  "  God  so  loved 
the  world.  He  gave  his  only  begotten  Son  to  save  it, 
who  was  full  of  grace  and  truth,  and  of  his  fullness  we 
receive  grace  for  grace,  in  order  to  salvation." — B.  Bar- 
day. 


214  I>AILY   JREADIXGS. 


[EienxH  MoKTH  i 


"  That  onr  daughters  may  be  as  comer-stones,  polished  after  the  similitude 
jf  a  palace."— Psalm  cxliv.  12. 

I  AM  free  to  confess  that  my  attachment  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  our  Society  has  increased  of  late.  In  try- 
ing to  be  quiet,  and  to  put  everything  aside  that  would 
tend  to  cloud  our  vision  (and  manifold  are  these  hinder- 
iinces),  I  think  the  way  gradually,  but  surely,  grows 
light  before  us,  and  we  are  led  almost  insensibly  along. 
I  believe,  too,  that  as  we  sincerely  desire  to  yield  perfect 
obedience,  those  things  which  w^e  had  not  courage  enough 
to  resolve  to  do  for  ourselves,  are  done  for  us,  and  we 
bless  God  for  the  chastening  which  mercy  dictated.  "  I 
am  tired  of  struggling,"  said  a  friend  to  me  the  other 
day.  As  if  our  life  could  be  anything  but  a  perpetual 
warfare,  the  good  and  the  evil  so  strive  together.  But 
it  mattei*s  not  whether  our  lot  be  one  of  joy  or  sorrow, 
if  we  only  reach  home  at  last.  It  may  not  be  sinful  to 
look  with  earnest  yet  patient  desires  to  the  haven  where 
the  weary  are  at  rest.  I  tliink  of  thee  very  often,  with 
strong  interest  and  sympathy,  knowing  that  thy  trials 
are  great  and  peculiar.  When  flesh  and  heart  fail,  there 
is  but  one  refuge,  and  the  conviction  that  He  liveth  who 
pities  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children ;  that  He  sees  and 
knows  all — every  bitter  and  weary  struggle,  every  desire, 
however  faint,  for  conformity  to  His  will,  and  that  in 
His  own  time  He  will  arise  and  deliver  from  the  thoughts 

and  anxieties  which  so  oppress  us.     Ah,  dear ,  if  we 

always  felt  this  faith,  the  sting  of  the  deepest  earthly  sor- 
row would  be  removed. — Elizabeth  Taher^  1841,  aged  19. 


KiQHTH  Month  3.]  DAILY    READINGS.  215 

"  Her  sun  is  gone  down  while  it  was  yet  day."— Jer.  y.  9, 

I  BELIEVE  it  is  not  safe  for  me  to  be  trusted  with 
health  and  strength,  under  some  plea  or  other  I  am 
so  apt  to  use  them  for  my  own  purposes.  Lately  I  have 
lost  my  hold  on  the  pearl :  in  my  attempts  to  promote  th<> 
comfort  of  my  family,  the  quiet  of  my  spirit  has  been 
disturbed.  Some  of  this  is  doubtless  owing  to  physical 
weakness;  but  with  every  temptation,  there  is  a  way  of 
escape ;  there  is  7iever  any  rieed  to  sin. 

Another  thing  I  have  suffered  loss  from — entering 
into  the  business  of  the  day  without  seeking  to  have  my 
spirit  quieted  and  directed.  So  many  things  press  upon 
me,  this  is  sometimes  neglected ;  shame  to  me  that  it 
should  be  so. 

Some  things  I  must  bear  in  mind:  1st,  Always  to  seek 
this  daily  retirement,  and  earnestly  search  into  my  faults. 
2d,  To  talk  less,  and  carefully  to  weigh  ray  words,  so 
that  they  may  minister  grace  to  the  hearer.  I  i»t  me  be 
careful,  without  display  or  pretension,  when  I  do  speak 
to  do  some  good,  if  it  is  only  to  manifest  kind  feeling 
toward  others.  3d,  And  this  is  of  great  importance,  to 
watch  carefully — now  I  am  so  weak — not  to  over  fatigue 
myself,  because  then  I  cannot  contribute  to  the  pleasure 
of  others ;  and  a  placid  face  and  a  gentle  tone  will  make 
my  family  more  happy  than  anything  else  I  can  do  for 
them.  Our  own  will  gets  sadly  into  the  performance  of 
our  duties  sometimes.  4th,  Almost  above  everything 
else,  to  agonize  for  a  loving  spirit  toward  all. — Elizabeth 
Taber  King^  1856,  aged  35. 


216  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Eighth  Month  4. 


"And  moiv'over,  because  the  preacher  was  wise,  he  still  taught  the  peop'e 
knowledge ;  yea,  he  gave  good  heed,  and  ?ought  out,  and  set  in  order  many 
proverbs."— Eccl.  xii.  9. 

HE  is  ail  account  nut  who  can  cast  uj)  correctly  the 
sum  of  his  own  errors. 

As  the  stream,  so  the  ship ;  canoes  for  shallows,  and 
vessels  of  burden  for  deep  waters. 

Fear  is  often  mistaken  for  condescension,  and  forbear 
ance  for  pusillanimity. 

We  are  too  apt  to  imagine  that  contentment  may  be 
found  almost  anywhere  than  at  home. 

In  religious  disquisitions,  the  tongue  does  not  always 
represent  the  mind. 

Thieves  are  as  liberal  as  honest  men  ;  but  then  it  is 
with  other  people's  property. 

Those  w^ho  have  had  the  most  forgiven  tiiem,  should 
be  the  least  addicted  to  slander. 

Others  sometimes  appear  to  us  more  wrong  than  they 
are,  because  we  ourselves  are  not  right  in  judging  them. 

A  lottery,  which  is  confessedly  a  species  of  gambling,  is 
an  unsafe  corner-stone  to  erect  a  place  for  worship  upon 

Ingratitude  to  a  benefactor  naturally  indisposes  him 
to  continue  his  benefits. 

Company  which  does  not  help  to  improve  us,  will  eer 
tainly  have  a  contrary  effect. —  George  Dillwyn. 


Ewnru  Mo.ntu  5.J  DAILY   READINGS.  217 

"  He  that  takoth  not  his  cross  aud  followeth  after  me,  cannot  be  my  disciple." 
-Matt.  X.  38. 

THE  Cross  being  minded,  it  makes  a  separation  from 
all  other  lovers,  and  brings  to  God,  and  the 
ground  of  evil  thoughts  comes  to  be  opened  ;  which  cross 
overtui'ns  the  world  in  the  heart,  and  must  be  taken  ui» 
by  all  who  follow  Jesus  Christ  out  of  the  woTld  which 
hatli  an  end,  into  the  world  which  is  without  end.  All  the 
evil  things  of  the  world  must  be  denied;  for  he  who  loves 
the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him  y  but  where 
the  world  is  standing,  the  cross  is  not  lived  in.  But 
dwelling  in  the  cross  to  the  world  here,  the  love  of  God 
IS  shed  abroad  in  the  heart,  and  the  way  is  opened 
into  the  inheritance  which  fades  not  away — where  noth- 
mg  shall  enter  which  is  defiled.  For  God  is  not  seen  but 
ni  the  eternal  Light  from  whence  all  pure  wisdom  comes. 
This  treasure  is  not  seen  but  with  the  spiritual  eye,  nor 
received  but  with  the  pure  in  heart,  and  by  those  who 
dwell  and  abide  in  the  eternal  Light.  But  the  carnal 
heart  may  get  the  words  from  them  who  had  received  the 
wisdom,  and  who  dwelt  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord ;  but 
they  w^ho  live  without  the  fear  may  get  their  words,  and 
yet  know  not  wisdom's  gate,  from  w^hence  those  words 
proceeded,  having  the  old  bottle.  Watch  all,  therefore, 
and  see  what  ye  do  possess  ;  for  all  wlio  give  forth  the 
Holy  Scripture,  Avho  dwelt  in  the  fear  of  God,  they  pos- 
sessed the  life,  which  those  words  proceeded  from,  and 
the  secret,  for  the  Lord  was  with  them. —  George  Fox, 
1653. 


218  DAILY   READINGS.  [Eighth  Month  «. 

"  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  cursed  be  the  man  that  trusteth  in  man,  and  maketh 
flesh  his  arm,  and  whose  heart  departeth  from  the  Lord."— Jer.  xvii.  5. 

HEARING  some  persons  mention  that  their  pre. 
fcrence  of  silent  meetings  was  increasing,  I  was 
led  to  consider  the  happiness  of  liaving  bread  in  our 
own  houses,  and  water  in  our  own  cisterns ;  where  we  neea 
not  the  h'elp  of  man,  but  can  worship  in  solemn  silence 
the  Father  of  spirits,  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

For  my  own  part  at  present  I  feel  far  from  this  desirable 
attainment ;  clouds  and  darkness  seem  to  overshadow  me. 
In  this  state  of  mind,  outward  help  is  frequently  neces- 
sary ;  and  if  the  spring  lies  deep,  and  we  have  no  strensfth 
to  dig,  the  joint  labor  of  others  assists  us  in  coming  to  that 
refreshment  which  we  know  not  iiow  to  obtain.  Xever- 
theless,  I  am  well  convinced,  that  a  dependence  on  out- 
ward help  will  avail  us  nothing.  If  we  are  nourisned  by 
the  bread  of  life,  it  must  be  by  sinking  deei>  into  our 
own  hearts,  and  experiencing  the  living  powerful  word 
to  be  near  us,  which  will  guide  us  into  all  truth. 

We  arc  too  apt  to  let  a  careless  negligence  take  hold 
of  our  minds  Avhen  assembled  together  for  the  purpose 
of  worship  ;  instead  of  keeping  them  diligently  fixed 
on  the  supreme  Author  of  our  being,  and  endeavoring 
to  wait  in  the  silence  of  all  flesh,  to  hear  that  inspeaking  . 
word  which  would  not  only  show  us  our  states  and  con- 
ditions, and  inform  us  what  we  ought  to  do ;  but,  in  His 
own  good  time,  prepare  a  sacrifice  acceptable  to  himself, 
and  cause  us  to  rejoice  in  the  overshadowing  of  his  love^ 
— Margaret  Woods,  1774. 


Eighth  Month  7  ]  DAILY    HEADINGS.  219 

"  Ye  are  my  frieude,  if  ye  do  whatsoever  I  command  you."— John  xv.  14. 

TO  thee  would  I  hand  more  than  a  cup  of  cold  water 
in  the  name  of  a  dist  iple,  if  I  had  it  to  give.  We 
are  very  emphatically  called  I^riends  /  and  friends  we 
should  be  to  one  another,  not  spaiing  friendly  advicL' 
and  reproof,  and  taking  willing  oversight  of  one  another 
as  keepei-s  of  one  another,  and  so  profitably  conjoined  in 
harmonious  labor.  If,  then,  w  e  should  not  withhold  re- 
proof and  correction  in  proper  season,  why  should  we 
withhold  encouragement,  and  the  expression  of  strength 
ening  unity  ?  If  I  have  anything  to  write  to  thee,  ray 
dear,  at  this  time,  it  is  in  this  line — the  line  of  encourage- 
ment to  hold  on  thy  way.  Continue  in  the  littleness  of 
self,  and  thou  wilt  continue  to  witness  an  enlargement  in 
the  service  of  thy  great  Master.  And  be  not  weary  in 
well-doing ;  consider  lohose  cause  it  is  in  which  thou  art 
engaged,  of  infinite  importance  and  consequence ;  and  how 
much  depends  on  every  one  who  is  sent  on  any  expedi 
tion,  or  who  has  any  part  to  maintain,  faithfully  and 
firmly  discharging  their  duty.  Farewell.  Mayst  thou 
take  deeper  and  deeper  root  in  humility  and  in  the  ex- 
perience of  the  Divine  life,  for  thy  own  preservation  and 
nourishment,  the  more  thou  advanoest  in  religious  stature 
and  spreadest  wide  thy  fruit-bearing  branches. 

By  faithfulness  in  matters  comparatively  small,  ac- 
cumulated strength  and  encouragement  accrues.  Clean 
hearts  and  clean  hands  give  boldness  and  confidence. — 
Richard  ShacJdeton^  IV 89. 


220  DAILY    KKADLXGS.  [Eighth  Month  S 


"  Thoiij^h  thou  exalt  thywilf  a:*  the  cajole,  and  though  then  ?et  thy  nest  among 
the  Ptars.  tlience  will  I  bring  thee  down,  saith  the  Lord."— Obacliah  i.  4. 


IT  occuiTed  to  me  this  inoriiiiig,  whilst  engaged  in  men- 
tal retirement  and  prostration  of  soul  before  Him 
who  8Ciirtinizes  not  only  our  actions  but  our  thoughts,  and 
whose  piercing  eye  divides,  as  it  were,  between  joints  and 
marrow,  and  penetrates  into  the  inmost  recesses  of  our  de- 
ceitful liearts,  that  to  aifect  the  use  of  high-flown  and  what 
are  called  learned  expressions,  for  the  sake  of  displaying 
either  our  natural  or  acquired  abilities,  or  to  please  itch- 
ing ears  of  men,  is  equally  reprehensible  Avith  the  use 
of  gay  clothing,  or  sumptuous  furniture,  and  is  only 
another  shape  of  pride  and  ostentation^  and  of  this  fault, 
oh,  my  soul,  thou  hast  great  need  especially  to  beware. 
Sitting  at  breakfast,  my  mind  was  bowed  in  thankful- 
ness for  the  plentiful  and  comfortable  table  which  Provi- 
dence, in  the  riches  of  His  bounty,  enables  me  to  spread  for 
my  dear  children,  whilst  thousands  of  jjcrhaps  I'ar  more 
worthy  receivers  are  not  so  amply  provided  for ;  which 
humbles  me  under  a  deep  sense  of  the  very  inadequate 
returns  I  seem  able  to  make,  though  I  hope  I  feel  some 
degree  of  that  condition  of  heart  whicli  He  condescendb 
not  to  despise. — Jonathan  Hutchinson^  1808. 


If  wisdom  be  not  onr  guide  in  the  journey  of  life,  it  is  more  than  probable 
hat  self-conceit  will  occupy  its  place.— George  Diliavyx. 


Eighth  Month  9.] 


DAILY    KEADINGS.  221 


'*That  ye  may  tell  it  to  the  ^jencratiou  following.    For  this  God  is  our  God 
forever  aud  ever;  Uc  will  be  our  guide  even  unto  death."— Pf  aim  xlviii.  13.  14. 

THIS  meeting  earnestly  recommends  to  all  Friends 
who  are  concerned  for  the  prosperity  of  truth,  to 
exercise  a  tender  care  over  the  younger  members  of 
society,  bearing  in  mind  the  opposed  situation  of  many 
of  them  and  their  critical  period  of  life.  We  would  en- 
courage Friends  to  cultivate  an  acquaintance  with  such, 
to  call  upon  them  in  their  places  of  abode,  and  to  mani- 
fest, by  the  general  tenor  of  their  conduct  towards  them, 
a:  kind  interest  in  their  welfare  and  preservation  from 
harm,  and  a  solicitude  that  they  may  be  established  on 
the  right  foundation,  in  the  faith  and  hope  of  the  Gospel. 
We  believe  this  feeling  of  regard,  if  cherished,  will  induce 
Friends,  when  any  are  not  diligent  in  attending  our  reli- 
gious meetings,  to  press  upon  them  the  adA'antage  and  im- 
portance of  this  primary  duty.  It  will  lead  them  also  to 
encourage  our  young  people  to  read  the  Holy  Scriptures 
daily,  with  desires  that  the  Lord  may  bless  these  invalua- 
ble writings  to  their  spiritual  instruction. 

And  we  entreat  Friends  to  promote,  especially  the 
younger  part  of  our  body,  an  acquaintance  with  the  wri- 
tings of  our  approved  authors,  in  which  are  set  forth  the 
grounds  of  our  religious  testimonies,  the  persecutions  suf- 
fered by  our  faithful  predecessors  in  the  support  of  them, 
and  many  instances  of  the  visitations  of  divine  love  so 
often  mercifully  granted  in  early  life. — London  Epistle^ 
1838. 


222  '  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Eighth  Moxth  10 


"  For  ye  see  your  calling,  brethren,  how  that  not  many  wise  men  after  the 
flesh,  not  many  mighty,  not  many  noble,  are  called."— 1  Cor.  i.  26. 

ACAUTIOX  has  been  sounded  that  we  may  at  all 
times  live  so  near  our  Divine  Master,  as  to  watch 
over  one  another  for  good,  always  remembering  that  the 
servant  smites  his  fellow-servarU  only  when  the  master  is 
absent.  The  source  from  whence  proceeds  the  Christian 
ministry  was  alluded  to,  with  desires  that  great  care 
should  be  observed  by  those  who  are  intrusted  with  this 
divine  gift.     *     *     * 

The  view  entertained  of  it  by  our  early  Friends  is  well 
worthy  our  constant  attention.  One  of  them  compares 
it  to  the  clouds,  which  the  Lord  fills  with  rain,  which  when 
so  charged  fall  in  refreshing  showers  upon  the  earth, 
and  having  accomplished  his  will  return  again  to  vapor. 
So  his  ministers  should  be  when  he  is  pleased  to  fill 
them  with  heavenly  good,  and  causes  his  word  to  distil 
like  dew  upon  the  mown  grass;  they  have  then  accom- 
plished his  pleasure,  and  like  the  clouds  are  to  return 
again  to  their  own  nothingness,  until  he  shall  again  be 
pleased  to  make  use  of  them  to  fulfill  his  own  gracious 
purposes.  Then,  beloved  friends,  under  a  consideration 
of  how  much  has  been  done  for  us  without  us,  should  not 
every  one  in  sincerity  adopt  the  language,  "  What  man- 
ner of  persons  ought  [we]  to  be  in  all  holy  conversation 
and  godliness,  looking  for  and  hastening  unto  the  coming 
of  the  day  of  God  ?  " —  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders  in  New  York^  1867,  James  Congdon^  Clerk. 


EiQHTn  Month  11.] 


DAILY   KEADINGS.  223 


"  Because  that  which  may  be  known  of  God  is  manifest  in  them  ;  for  God 
hath  shewed  it  into  them."— Romans  i.  19. 

A  PERSON,  not  a  member  of  our  Society,  married  a 
Friend,  and  though  she  afterwards  inclined  to 
attend  tlie  meeting  she  had  been  accustomed  to,  he  very 
much  opposed  her  iii  it,  saying  she  might  unite  herself 
to  any  sect  except  the  Quakers^  and  he  would  join  her. 
This  tried  her  very  much,  and  in  this  time  of  conflict  and 
close  proving,  I  had  a  meeting  at  a  place  called  Free- 
hold, a  mile  or  two  from  where  this  person  lived.  Ilis 
wife  had  a  desire  to  go  to  it,  and  she  prevailed  upon  him 
to  accompany  her.  I  had  another  meeting  in  the  even- 
ing at  Bordentown,  to  which  they  also  came  ;  and  while 
we  Wire  at  breakfast,  on  the  following  day,  he  and  his 
wife  stepped  in.  Immediately  my  feelings  became  ar- 
rested, and  I  could  eat  but  very  little  more.  I  drew  my 
chair  a  small  space  from  the  table,  and  soon  a  very  solemn 
pause  ensued,  when,  turning  toward  them,  my  mind  was 
opened  in  a  striking  manner  to  address  them  both.  It 
seemed  to  have  a  powerful  effect  upon  the  man,  especially, 
and  though  he  was  a  stranger  to  me,  I  afterwards  was 
told  that  he  entirely  denied  that  the  Almighty  held 
communion  with  his  creatures,  but  after  this  he  gave  it 
up  completely,  and  said  that  if  the  very  secrets  of  his 
heart  had  not  been  told  him,  which  he  Jiad  never  in  his  life 
revealed  to  any  one,  he  might  have  doubted  still ;  but 
here  was  demonstration  irresistible,  and  he  surrendered 
freely,  and  become  a  worthy  member  and  respected  elder 
in  that  society  he  had  despised. — Nathan  Hunt^  1820. 


224  DAILY   KEADIXGS.  [Eighth  Month  12. 


"  Are  they  not  all  miui^tering  spirits,  sent  forth  to  minister  for  Ihem  who 
phallbc  heirs  of  salvation  ?  "— Hebrews!.  14. 

IN  a  time  of  sickness  with  the  pleurisy,  a  little  more 
than  two  years  and  a  half  ago,  I  was  brought  so 
near  the  gates  of  death,  that  I  forgot  my  name.  Being 
tlien  desirous  to  know  who  I  was,  I  saw  a  mass  of  matter  of 
a  dull  gloomy  color,  between  the  south  and  east ;  and  was 
informed  that  this  mass  was  human  beings  in  as  great  mis- 
ery as  they  could  be,  and  live,  and  that  I  was  mixed  with 
them,  and  that  henceforth  I  might  not  consider  myself  as 
a  distinct  or  separate  being.  In  this  state  I  remained 
Fevcral  hours.  I  then  heard  a  soft,  melodious  voice,  more 
pure  and  harmonious  than  any  I  had  heard  with  my  ear 
before ;  I  believe  it  was  the  voice  of  an  angel,  who  spake  to 
the  other  angels :  the  words  were — "  John  Woolman  is 
dead."  I  soon  remembered  that  I  was  cnce  John  Wool- 
man,  and  being  assured  that  I  was  alive  in  the  body,  I 
greatly  wondered  v.  hat  that  heavenly  voice  could  mean. 
I  be'ievcd  beyond  doubt  that  it  was  the  voice  o^an  holy 
angel,  but  as  yet  it  was  a  mystery  to  me. 

I  was  carried  in  spirit  to  the  mines,  where  poor  op- 
pressed people  were  digging  rich  treasures  for  those 
called  Christians,  and  heard  them  blaspheme  the  name 
of  Christ;  at  which  I  was  grieved;  for  his  name  to  me 
was  precious.  I  was  then  informed  that  these  heathens 
were  told  that  those  who  oppressed  them  were  follow- 
ers of  Christ ;  and  they  said  among  themselves, "  If  Christ 
directed  them  to  use  us  in  this  sort,  then  Christ  is  a 
cruel  tvrant." — Joh)iWooJma  \  1772. 


EiGHTn  Month  13.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  225 


"  For  all  these  things  do  the  nations  of  the  world  seek  after ;  and  your  Father 
knoweth  that  ye  have  need  of  these  things*.  But  rather  seek  ye  the  Kingdom 
of  God  ;  and  all  these  things  shill  be  added  unto  you."— Lnke  xii.  30,  .31. 

I  HAVE  for  years  felt  strong  desires  to  be  wholly 
redeemed  from  the  improper  pursuit  of  worldly  en- 
joyments, and  even  from  all  desires  of  wealth,  beyond 
what  my  heavenly  Father  knoweth  I  have  need  of,  as 
also  from  all  use  of  things,  the  procuring  of  which  would 
require  more  of  my  time  than  would  be  consistent  with 
my  religious  duty,  or  wliich  would  cause  me,  or  any  one 
under  me,  to  labor  beyond  the  true  medium,  or  beyond 
the  degree  whicli  best  promotes  health  of  body  and  tran- 
quility of  mind.  I  have  mourned  to  see  the  true  standard 
so  lamentably  departed  from,  in  these  respects,  among  all 
societies  of  professing  Christians.  Multitudes  are  mis- 
erably toiling  and  drudging,  from  day  to  day,  and  from 
year  to  year,  scarcely  allowing  themselves  time  to  as- 
semble-for  divine  worship,  nor  scarcely  time  to  rest  and 
refresh  their  bodies.  And  many,  when  they  do  get  to 
their  religious  meetings,  are  too  often  so  exhausted  by 
immoderate  fatigue,  that  they  are  fitter  for  sleep  than 
divine  worship. — Joh  Scott. 

The  rich,  even  those  who  are  piously  disposed,  arc  generally  too  much  en- 
gaged in  their  own  concerns  to  be  much  relied  on  for  counsell'^'^.— Ge-^rgb 

OlLLWYN. 

"  For  whopoever  wul  tave  his  life  shall  lose  it ;  but  w  hosoever  shall  lose  his 
life  for  my  sake  and  the  Gospel's,  the  same  shall  save  it.  For  what  shall  it 
profit  a  man  if  he  sli  il!  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?  Or  what 
ahall  a  man  give  in  excii  uge  for  his  soul  ?— Mark  viii.  :^,  36,  37. 


226  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Eighth  Month  14 


"  Then  if  any  mau  shall  say  unto  you,  '  Lo,  here  is  Christ,  or  lo,  there  ; '  be- 
lieve it  not."— Matt.  xxiv.  23. 

THE  lionest  and  sincere-hearted  amongst  you,  I  sa- 
lute in  gospel  love ;  and  as  I  believe  there  is  a  small 
remnant  wlio  are  desirous  to  witness  tlie  peace  of  God  in 
3'our  hearts,  and  a  sure  hope  of  receiving  the  answer  of 
well  done,  at  the  conclusion  of  your  time  in  tliis  world, 
mind  the  instructions  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ  Jesus  in  your 
own  liearts,  for  it  is  this  wliich  leads  into  all  truth ;  it 
shows  unto  man  of  what  sort  the  thoughts  of  his  heart 
are,  and  it  witnesseth  against  every  bad  word  and  action. 
The  Spirit  of  Truth  hath  taught  the  children  of  God  in 
all  ages  ;  it  w\as  by  this  spirit  that  our  worthy  elders  were 
led  from  the  lo-heres  and  lo-theres,  which  are  in  the  world, 
and  established  on  the  true  foundation.  The  revelation 
or  teaching  of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  their  own  hearts  up- 
held them  under  sore  afflictions  and  outward  suiferings 
from  the  powers  of  the  earth ;  and  by  this  they  were 
preserved  in  the  unity  of  the  spirit,  in  the  bond  of  peace. 
Dear  Friends,  beware  of  letting  out  your  minds  after 
the  doctrines  and  teachings  of  men,  who  have  not  the 
Word  of  life  committed  to  them  to  preach  in  the  love 
and  power  of  truth.  For  if  ye  do,  ye  will  be  unstable 
and  wavering,  and  a  wavering  man  is  as  a  wave  of  the 
sea,  tossed  to  and  fro  with  every  contrary  wind  of  doc- 
tnne.  Neither  look  you  too  much  to  the  example  one 
of  another,  but  wait  to  receive  in  yourselves  a  sense  of 
what  ye  ought  to  do  and  to  join  with,  and  what  ye  ought 
to  be  separated  from. — John  Churchman, 


EioETTH  Month  15.] 


DAI  FA'    HEADINGS.  227 


""  For  the  preaching  of  the  cross  is  to  them  that  perish  foolishness  ;  but  into 
ns  which  arc  saved  it  is  the  power  of  God."— Ist  Corinthians  i.  18. 

THE  Gospel,  in  the  days  of  the  first  messengers,  was 
termed  by  the  worldly-wise  and  prudent,  foolish- 
ness. An  eminent  publisher  of  it  was  told  too  much  leara- 
ing  had  made  him  mad  ;  their  lives  indeed  were  counted 
as  madness,  because  the  life  they  then  lived  was  in  Christ 
Jesus,  whilst  the  lives  of  those  who  condemned  them  were 
after  the  flesh,  fulfilling  the  lusts  thereof.  At  the  same 
time  I  fear  there  are  many  who  make  a  profession  with  me 
of  those  ;hings,  who  are  not  able  to  comprehend  them,  for 
we  have  not  anything  that  is  good  but  what  is  given  to  us 
of  God ;  and  if  we  are  not  concerned  to  ask  wisdom  from 
Him,  we  shall  not  receive  it.  Some  among  us  do  ask,  but 
they  ask  amiss,  asking  that  from  the  form  which  it  can- 
not give.  To  these  states,  I  shall  not  use  any  reasoning 
to  strive  to  convince  them  of  their  error,  having  the  experi- 
ence in  myself,  how  hard,  nay,  I  may  say,  how  impossible 
it  would  have  been  to  have  convinced  me  of  these  truths 
before,  till  Divine  Mercy  was  extended  to  me.  *  *  ♦ 
But  I  write  these  things  for  the  wayfaring  men  and 
women  who  may  be  traveling  Zionward,  and  can  read  me 
in  their  own  experience,  to  encourage  them  to  hold  on 
their  way  and  let  no  discouragements  they  may  meet  with 
in  their  wilderness  journey  cause  them  to  look  back  to 
Egypt ;  for  it  is  only  those  who  hold  out  to  the  end  that 
will  be  saved. — John  Conron^  Dublin,  Ireland,  1772, 

Asoxir  faith,  so  oar  aevoti©n«hould  be  lively. 


228  DAILY   KEADINGS. 


[Eighth  Moitth  16» 


"  I  was  made  a  minister,  according  to  the  gift  of  the  grace  of  God  given  unto 
me  by  the  effectual  working  of  hia  power."— Eph.  iii,  7. 

I  CONCEIVE  that  the  Chi-istian  Church  at  large  is 
much  indebted  to  George  Fox  and  his  brethren,  for 
the  bold,  clear,  and  steadfast  manner  in  which  they  main- 
tain the  doctrines  of  universal  and  saving  Light.  Hap- 
pily, they  are  held  by  a  large  and  very  increasing  propor- 
tion of  Chiistian  believei*s.  The  late  William  Wilber- 
force,  so  well  known  as  an  evangelical  member  of  the 
church  of  England,  emphatically  expressed  to  me,  on  two 
occasions,  his  full  conviction  that  an  effective  offer  of 
salvation  is  made  to  every  man  bom  into  the  world ;  and 
how  can  such  an  offer  be  made,  except  by  a  visitation  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  ?  Little  as  I  am  inclined  to  cast  any 
blame  upon  others,  who  are  evidently  accepted  and  as- 
sisted by  their  own  Master,  I  conceive  it  to  be  a  duty, 
plainly  laid  upon  the  Society  of  Friends,  to  hold  up  a 
still  higher  and  purer  standard  respecting  the  Christian 
ministry.  It  is  a  principle  generally  understood  and 
admitted  by  the  membei-s  of  that  Society,  that  the  faculty 
of  the  Christian  ministry  is  a  gift  of  the  Spirit,  which 
cannot  be  rightly  exercised  otherwise  then  under  the 
direct  and  immediate  influence  of  that  Spirit.  Friends  are 
not,  therefore,  satisfied  with  any  general  impression,  that 
it  is  their  duty  to  preach  the  Gospel ;  nor  do  they  venture, 
under  such  impression,  eithei*  to  employ  their  own  intel- 
lectual exertions  as  a  preparation  for  the  service,  or  to 
select  their  own  time  for.  performing  it, — J.  J,  Gurney. 


EwHTH  Month  17.]    .       r>AILY   READINGS.  229 

"  Tne  steps  of  a  good  man  are  ordered  by  the  Lord,  and  he  delighteth  in  hla 
way.*"— Psalm  xxxvii.  2a 

IN  hearing  William  Savery  preach,  he  seemed  to  me 
to  overflow  with  true  religion,  and  to  be  humble, 
and  yet  to  be  a  man  of  great  abilities ;  and  having  been 
gay  and  disbelieving  only  a  few  years  ago,  makes  him  bet- 
ter acquainted  with  the  heart  of  one  in  the  same  situation. 
If  I  were  to  grow  like  him,  a  preacher,  I  should  be  able  to 
preach  to  the  gay  and  unbelieving  better  than  to  any 
others,  for  I  should  feel  more  sympathy  for  them,  and 
know  their  hearts  better. 

To-day  I  have  felt  all  my  old  irreligious  feelings.  My  ob- 
ject shall  be  to  search,  try  to  do  right,  and  if  I  am  mis- 
taken, it  is  not  my  fault ;  but  the  state  I  am  now  in  makes 
it  difficult  to  act.  What  little  religion  I  have  felt  has 
been  owing  to  my  giving  way  quietly  and  humbly  to  my 
feelings ;  but  the  more  I  reason  upon  it,  the  more  I  gel 
into  a  labyrinth  of  uncertainty,  and  my  mind  is  so  much  in- 
clined to  both  scepticism  and  enthusiasm,  that  if  I  argue 
and  doubt,  I  shall  be  a  total  sceptic ;  if,  on  the  contrary,  I 
give  way  to  my  feelings,  and  as  it  -were,  wait  for  religion, 
I  may  be  led  away.  But  I  hope  that  will  not  be  the  case ; 
at  all  events,  religion,  true  and  uncorrupted,  is  all  that  com- 
forts the  greatest ;  it  is  the  first  stimulus  to  virtue ;  it  is  a 
support  under  every  affliction.  I  am  sure  it  is  better  to 
be  so  in  an  enthusiastic  degree,  than  not  to  be  so  at  all, 
for  it  is  a  delightful  enthusiasm. — Elisabeth  Gurneyy 
1798. 

Prefer  substance  to  shadows. 


230  BAILY    EEAI>INGS^ 


[Eighth  Mokth  1&. 


"  For  rulers  are  not  a  terror  to  good  works,  tut  to  the  evil.  Wilt  tlion,  then, 
not  be  afraid  of  the  power  ?  Do  that  which  is  good,  and  thou  shalt  hare 
praise  of  the  same."— Rom.  xiii.  3. 

"  Knowing  this,  that  the  law  is  not  made  for  a  righteous  man,  but  for  the  law- 
less, and  disobedient.'*—!  Tim.  i.  9. 

/^  OVERNORS,  rulers,  and  magistrates,  we  own 
\U^  and  do  respect  in  the  Lord ;  such  as  he  a  terror 
to  all  evil  in  their  government,  and  that  fear  God,,  and 
hate  covetousness,  and  delight  in  equality,  in  justice,  and 
true  judgment,  who  gave  diligent  heed  to  try  the  cause  of 
the  poor,  and  will  judge  justly,  without  respect  of  men, 
who  justify  the  good,  and  give  praise  to  the  well-doer. 
Such  government  and  governors  we  reverence,  where 
sin  and  iniquity  are  kept  under,  drunkenness,  swearing, 
murder,  quarreling,  and  all  the  ways  and  works  of 
the  flesh  are  terrified,  and  a  well-doer  praised  and  justified. 
The  government  of  men  reaches  to  the  witness  of  God  in 
every  man,,  and  that  answers  to  the  justice  and  righteous- 
ness of  all  such  governors  and  government,  and  these 
witness  that  they  are  of  God.  The  government  and  laws 
which  we  cannot  obey  nor  fulfil  for  conscience  sake,  we 
choose  rather  to  sufier  for  disobedience  to  them,  than  to 
transgress  the  righteous  law  of  God,  written  in  our  hearts, 
by  obeying  them. — Edward  Burroughs  London,  1667. 


The  words  of  our  Saviour,  "  If  my  Kingdom  were  of  this  world,  then  wou'r 
my  servants  fight,"  must  signify  *  *  ♦  As  my  Kingdom  is  not  of  this  world 
therefore  my  servants  do  not  fight.— Geokge  Dilxwtn. 


Eighth  Month  19.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  231 


"  Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother ;  that  thy  days  may  be  long  in  the  land 
which  the  Lord  thy  Godgiveth  thee."— Exod.  xx.  12. 

AH,  my  mother,  how  unworthy  of  thy  tender  solici- 
tude, thy  unwearied  attention,  thy  fond  affections, 
is  the  daughter  thou  too  tenderly  cherished !  Yet 
heaven  and  earth's  great  Ruler  knows  the  secret  prayer 
of  my  lieart  is  to  become  every  day  more  worthy  of  His 
divine  protection,  and  of  my  mother's  love.     *     *     * 

Do,  my  precious  mother,  take  every  care  of  thy  in- 
valuable health,  and  guard  thy  peace  of  mind  from  un- 
necessary interruption.  Remember,  my  parent,  it  is  to 
thee  we  look  for  support  through  the  most  important 
periods  of  life.  The  happiest  existence  of  thy  children  is 
interwoven  with  thy  being.  If  they  see  thee  still  walk- 
ing ill  the  path  of  duty,  religiously  observing  the  secret 
instructions  of  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  unreservedly  resigned 
to  the  will  of  Him  who  is  perfect  in  wisdom,  and  submit- 
ting all  things  to  his  government,  thy  children  may  yet 
become  (however  unlikely  it  maybe  judged)  instruments 
of  good  in  the  hands  of  their  God. 

While  I  remember  how  my  past  life  has  been  employed, 
how  anxiously  do  I  wish  to  be  restored  to  an  opportunity 
of  redeeming  the  time  squandered  in  frivolous  pursuits, 
and  yet  I  am  capable  of  neglecting  to  improve  the  pres- 
ent moment,  the  present  strong  impression  that  time  is 
rapidly  passing,  eternity  quickly  approaching,  and  that 
my  own  claim  to  eternal  life  will  soon  be  decided. —  Char- 
lotte Dudley^  1812. 


232  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Eighth  Month  20. 


"  The  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of 
his  Chrit't  ;  and  he  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever."— Rev.  xi.  15. 

rr^ME  glorified  Head  of  the  universal  church,  the  Re- 
-J_  deeiiier  and  Saviour  of  men,  who  dwelt  for  a  time 
on  earth,  and  offered  himself  on  the  cross  as  a  sacrifice 
for  the  sins  of  the  world,  condescends  to  visit  the  natur- 
ally dark  hearts  of  all  men  by  the  influences  of  his  Holy 
Grace,  Light,  or  Spirit,  in  greater  or  less  degrees,  reprov- 
ing them  for  evil,  inciting  them  to  good,  enlightening 
the  conscience;  and,  as  yielded  to,  subduing  and  purify- 
ing the  will  and  affections,  producing  the  w^ork  of  regen- 
eration, calling  them  to  become  his  subjects,  qualifying 
them  for  service  in  his  church,  and  preparing  them  for 
heaven ;  all  this  being  effected,  in  proportion  as  man, 
whatever  may  be  the  variety  of  his  external  circumstan- 
ces, submits  to  this  holy  influence.     *     *     * 

We  are  assured  that  "  the  kingdom  of  God  is  within," 
or  of  a  si>iritual  character;  also  that  "it  is  righteousness, 
peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,"  essentially  holy  and 
peaceful  in  its  character.  If  we  would  know  its  estab- 
lishment, and  be  the  sharers  in  its  heavenly  benefits,  it 
must  be  set  up  in  our  hearts,  and  rule  there,  diffusing 
these  benign  principles  over  our  inmost  thoughts,  motives, 
and  affections,  as  well  as  over  our  words  and  actions.  If 
we  are  ruled  by  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  we  shall  bring  forth 
its  fruits — humility,  purity,  justice,  meekness,  long-suffer- 
ing, peace,  temperance,  faith,  hope  and  charity.  These 
will  mark  our  conduct,  as  that  of  the  subjects  of  Christ's 
kingdom. — John  Allen,  England,  1853. 


Eighth  Month  21.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  233 


"Bring  my  eons  from  Car,  and  my  daughters  from  the  ends  of  the  earth.  "— 
Isa,  xliii.  6. 

BEFORE  I  was  twelve  years  of  age,  I  often  solicited 
my  mother  for  liberty  to  go  with  some  of  the 
neighbor's  children,  who  were  Friends,  to  their  meetings, 
with  which  she  often  complied,  saying  that  I  was  but  a 
child,  and  not  capable  of  determining  in  matters  of  a  reli- 
gious nature,  which,  indeed,  was  really  so ;  yet  I  have 
abundant  reason  to  believe  that  something  of  a  Divine 
nature  was  then  secretly  at  work  in  my  tender  mind, 
though  I  know  not  by  what  name  to  call  it,  which,  had 
I  given  way  to  it,  would  have  preseiwed  me,  though  but 
a  child,  from  many  things  into  which  I  afterwards  fell, 
to  the  wounding  of  my  poor  soul,  and  making  hard 
work  in  the  cleansing,  purifying  day,  that  afterwards 
powerfully  overtook  me,  and  from  which  I  could  by  no 
means  escape.  *  *  Blessed  be  the  God  of  my  life,  who  thus 
gradually  and  secretly  drew  my  mind  towards  this  peo- 
ple, not  only  to  go  to  meeting,  but  I  loved  the  sight  of 
an  honest  Friend.  Yet  I  was  at  times  under  the  influ- 
ence of  another  spirit ;  for,  though  I  loved  this  people, 
and  very  early  saw  a  beautiful  order  and  becoming  de- 
portment in  their  meetings,  I  could  not  give  up  my  day? 
to  lead  such  a  life  of  self-denial  as  the  Divine  Instructor 
in  my  own  breast  at  times  directed  me  to — but  I  lovecl 
vanity  and  folly,  and  to  keep  unprofitable  company,  by 
which  I  was  led  into  many  evils,  and  quenched  tlie  blessed 
spirit  from  time  to  time. — Rebecca  Jones,  Philadelphia, 
1757 


234:  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Eighth  Month  22, 


"  And  they  paid,  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thoa  shalt  be  saved, 
and  thy  house."— Acts  xvi.  31. 

MY  heart  was  often  made  uneasy  for  the  multitude 
of  my  transgressions,  so  that  I  often  promised 
to  amend,  for  I  greatly  feared  to  die.  But  alas  !  though 
I  made  covenant,  I  soon  forgot  it  and  returned  to  the 
same  things  for  which  I  had  been  reproved,  and  thus 
added  sin  to  rebellion  for  some  time.     *     *     * 

In  the  year  1754,  and  in  the  16th  year  of  my  age, 
there  came  from  old  England,  on  a  religious  visit  to  the 
churches  of  Christ  in  America,  Catherine  Peyton,  from 
Ireland.  I  heard  divers  testimonies  which  she  bore, 
with  which  I  was  much  pleased ;  but  like  many  others, 
I  only  heard,  and  sought  not  to  learn  the  way  to  salva- 
tion in  sincerity.  But  for  ever  blessed  and  praised  be 
the  great  Minister  of  ministers  and  Bishop  of  souls,  who 
in  His  abundant  compassion  to  a  poor  creature  in  the 
very  road  that  leads  to  the  chambers  of  death,  was  gra- 
ciously pleased  through  His  handmaid  to  set  my  state 
and  condition  open  before  me,  and  who  enabled  her,  in 
one  of  our  Urst-day  evening  meetings,  to  speak  so  per- 
tinently to  my  situation,  in  showing  the  consequences 
of  trifling  with  Divine  conviction,  and  proclaiming  God's 
love  through  Christ  to  all  returning  sinners,  that  I  cried 
out  in  the  bitterness  of  my  heart :  "  Lord,  what  wilt  Thou 
have  me  to  do  to  be  saved  ?  '*  And  so  effectually  was 
my  heart  reached,  that  I  was  made  willing  to  forsake 
everything  to  obtain  peace,  and  inherit  eternal  salvation. 
— Rebecca  Jones,  Philadelphia,  1754. 


Eighth  Month  2;J.]  DAILY   EEADINGS.  235 

"  And  Jesus  answering  said,  were  there  not  ten  cleansed  ?  but  where  are  the 
nine  ?  There  are  not  found  tlmt  returned  to  give  glory  to  God,  save  this  stran- 
ger."—Luke  xvii,  17, 18. 

OH,  the  many  days  of  sorrow  and  nights  of  deep  dis- 
tress that  I  passed  through ;  how  frequently  did 
I  cry  out,  "  Lord  save  me  or  I  perish  r"     *     *     * 

But  for  ever  magnified  be  the  kindness  and  goodness  of 
the  Lord  my  God,  the  everlasting  Father,  he  left  me  not 
here,  though  I  was  in  the  situation  described  by  the 
prophet.  I,  greatly  polluted,  lay  wallowing  in  the  filthi 
ness  of  the  flesh,  without  any  succor  from  temporal  con- 
nections, and  a  stranger  to  the  Lord's  family,  "not 
washed  at  all,  nor  salted  at  all,  but  cast  out  as  in  an  open 
field,  void  of  any  enclosure ;  none  eye  pitied  me,  to  do 
any  of  these  things  to  me."  When  the  sure  Helper  pass- 
ed by,  He  beheld  me  in  my  deplorable  situation,  cast  His 
mantle  of  Divine  love  over  me,  and  with  a  most  power- 
ful voice  said  :  Live  ;  yea.  He  said  unto  me.  Live, 

I  was  again  encouraged  by  the  renewal  of  Divine  fa- 
vor to  enter  into  solemn  covenant  with  the  gracious  Be- 
ing against  whom  ,1  had  so  justly  offended.  My  love  to 
this  instrument  in  the  Lord's  hand  (Catherine  Peyton,) 
was  very  great,  and  on  a  certain  time,  being  reduced 
very  low  in  my  mind,  under  the  consideration  of  my 
many  and  deep  transgressions,  I  took  uj)  my  pen  and 
wrote  to  her,  though  I  dared  not  sign  my  name.  I  watch- 
ed an  opportunity  and  slipped  it  into  her  liand,  just  as 
she  was  going  into  meeting,  and  in  two  days  received  an 
answer. — Rebecca  ,/o?ies,  Philadelphia,  17oo. 


236  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Eighth  Month  24 


"  Yvit  the  Lord  will  eoramaud  hi?  loving  kindness  in  the  day  time,  and  in 
the  ni^ht  his  son.?  shall  be  with  me,  and  my  prayer  shall  be  unto  the  God  of  my 
life."— Psalm  xlii.  8- 

DEAR  Child,  Rebecca  Jones  :  I  have  carefully  read 
thy  letter,  and  from  the  tenderness  of  spirit 
which  I  feel  towards  thee,  conceive  much  hope  that  thou 
wilt  do  well  if  thou  keep  to  the  power  which  has  visited 
thee ;  wliich,  as  it  has  already  appeared  as  a  light  to 
convince  thee  of  sin,  will,  if  thou  will  suffer  it,  destroy  it 
in  thy  heart ;  which,  dispensation  being  already  begun, 
is  the  reason  of  that  anguish  of  spirit  which  thou  feelest, 
which  will  lessen  gradually  as  thou  art  assisted  to  over- 
come. 

And  be  not  too  much  discouraged,  neither  at  what  thou 
hast  committed  against  the  Lord,  nor  at  what  thou  may- 
est  have  to  suffer  for  Him  ;  for  though  thy  sins  may  have 
been  as  scarlet.  He  is  able  and  willing  to  make  thy  heart 
as  snow,  upon  thy  sincere  repentance  and  humble  walk- 
ing in  His  fear,  and  also  to  give  thee  strength  to  do  what- 
soever He  commands  thee.  If  thou  art  willing  and  obedi- 
ent for  the  future,  thou  shalt  eat  the  good  of  the  land  in 
the  Lord's  time ;  and,  as  thou  hast  already  been  instructed 
that  "  thou  shalt  only  receive  consolation  as  thou  art  fit," 
wait  patiently,  and  let  the  administration  of  condemna- 
tion be  perfect — so  shall  the  administration  of  light  and 
peace  be  more  clear  and  strong:  which  will  assuredly 
come  upon  thee  if  thou  abidest  faithful. —  Catherine  Pay- 
ton^  1775. 


Eighth  Month  25.]  I>AILY    KEADIJS;GS.  '2^7 

'•  Hear  now,  O  house  of  Israel ;  Is  not  my  way  equal  ?  are  not  your  ways  un- 
equal."—Ezek.  xviii,  25. 

IT  is  not  in  my  mind  to  particularize  everything  that 
fell  to  my  lot,  not  only  from  some  in  near  connec- 
tion with  me,  but  also  from  my  former  acquaintance,  to 
whom  I  now  seemed  estranged ;  and  many  were  theii 
bitter  invectives  and  hard  speeches  liberally  thrown  out 
against  me. 

Yet  thus  far  I  may  say  of  a  tnith,  greater  was  that 
power  which  visited  me,  and  was  in  a  degree  in  me,  than 
these  mine  enemies  that  were  in  and  of  the  world.  To 
the  praise  of  my  gracious  Benefactor  be  it  spoken,  the 
more  I  suffered  in  thus  turning  my  back  on  all  those 
things  which  in  times  past  I  so  greatly  delighted  in,  the 
more  my  strength  increased,  and  my  resolutions  vvere  con- 
firmed to  serve  the  Lord  the  little  time  that  remained  to 
me  in  this  life,  which  I  then  thought  would  not  be  long. 

In  the  spring,  1756,  my  aforesaid  fiiend  C.  Peyton  re- 
turned to  Europe.  Soon  after  her  departure  I  found  an 
indifference  towards  meetings  gradually  coming  on,  and 
the  enemy  of  my  soul's  happinet>8  sorely  buffeted  me. 
He  suggested  to  me  that  my  repentance  was  vain,  my 
tears  were  insincere,  and  that  I  was  most  certainly  under 
a  great  delusion.  And  the  Lord,  my  only  Helper  in 
this  night  of  probation,  saw  meet  in  His  wisdom  to  hide 
His  face  from  me.  But  when  in  close  combat  with  the 
prince  of  the  power  of  the  air,  the  Lord's  arm  brought 
salvation,  and  His  right  arm  got  the  victory. — Rebecca 
Jo7ieSf  1*756. 


238  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Eighth  Month  26, 


"  Blessed  are  they  who  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness  ;  for  they  shall 
be  filled."— Matt.  v.  6.' 

LET  it  be  remembered,  that  as  our  mortal  bodies 
cannot  enjoy  health  long,  without  a  natural  appe- 
tite to  meat  and  drink,  so  our  souls  cannot  live  unto  holi- 
ness without  a  spiritual  hunger  and  an  inward  thirst  after 
the  righteousness  which  Christ  puts  upon  his  saints  ;  not  by- 
imputation,  but  actually  also.  Such  souls  he  will  fill,  as 
Mary  witnesseth  and  bore  her  testimony  to  the  truth 
thereof,  viz :  "  He  hath  filled  the  hungry  with  good  things, 
and  the  rich  he  hath  sent  empty  away."  When  we  are 
emptied  of  sin  and  self,  there  is  room  for  the  Almighty 
to  pour  his  spirit  into  us.  If  we  would  fill  anything,  it 
must  first  be  emptied ;  so  must  we  be  empty,  if  we  hun- 
ger and  thirst  after  righteousness  ;  then  shall  we  truly 
pray  to  our  heavenly  Father  for  divine  food,  and  it  will 
be  our  meat  and  drink  to  do  his  will ;  and  we  shall  delight 
to  feed  upon  his  word ;  as  Christ  says,  "  Man  shall  not 
live  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth 
out  of  the  mouth  of  God."  This  is  holy  food  for  the 
soul,  which  nourishes  and  keeps  it  alive  unto  God ;  with- 
out this  it  is  dead,  notwithstanding  it  may  have  the  name 
of  a  living  soul.  As  this  hunger  and  thirst,  or  desire, 
must  be  spiritual,  so  must  the  food  be  also ;  "It  being  the 
spirit  that  quickens  "  and  gives  life ;  wherefore  let  a 
spiritual  hunger  and  thirst  after  God  and  his  righteous- 
ness be  in  the  soul. — Thomas  Chalkly, 

We  little  need,  and  that  not  lon^ 


Eighth  Month  27.]  DAILY   READINGS.  239 

'*  God  i3  love ;  and  lie  that  dwelleth  in  love,  dwelleth  in  God,  and  God  in 
him."— 1  John  iv.  IG. 

AS  love  is  the  foundation  of  all  our  happiness,  so  it 
ought  to  be  the  predominant  motive  of  all  our  ac- 
tions. We  must  convince  children  that  our  requisitions 
to  do  or  to  leave  undone,  are  the  effects  of  love,  and  that 
obedience  to  our  commands  will  contribute  to  their  own 
comfort  and  enjoyment. 

For  similar  reasons,  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that 
children  be  early  and  properly  informed  respecting  the 
attributes  of  the  Supreme  Being.  He  must  not  be  re- 
presented to  them  as  a  partial,  tyrannical  sovereign  ;  but 
as  a  kind,  merciful,  and  affectionate  parent,  providing 
for  our  necessities,  and  acting  for  the  benefit  and.  ever- 
lasting happiness  of  his  children,  and  that  His  love  and 
His  care  are  universal,  as  is  shown  by  the  general  tenor 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

I  knew  one  thus  trained,  wlio  entered  upon  the  world 
at  the  age  of  sixteen,  surrounded  by  companions  who 
had  caught  the  contagion  of  skepticism.  He  examined 
their  arguments  and  detected  their  futility,  and  rejected 
them.  In  prosperity  and  adversity,  in  public  and  in  pri- 
vate life,  the  sentiments  of  religion  retained  their  influ- 
ence on  his  heart. 

When  sinking  by  painful  steps  into  an  early  grave, 
"with  what  gratitude,  with  What  delightful  gratitude, 
do  I  look  back  to  my  infancy  and  to  the  judicious  con- 
duct of  my  mother,  who  made  religion  appear  to  me  in 
colors  so  engaging  and  so  congenial." — A.  Moti 


240  DAILY   EEADINGS. 


[Eighth  Month  28. 


"And  thou  Shalt  speak  and  be  no  more  dumb;  and  thou  shalt  be  a  sign 
unto  them;  and  they  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord  "— Ezek.  xxiv.  27. 

CONSIDER  where  are  ye  who  are  called  Christians, 
among  whom  it  is  become  a  wonder,  a  stone  of 
stnmbling,  or  matter  of  mockery,  or  a  ground  of  reproach, 
for  one,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  to  invite  yon  to  repent- 
ance in  sackcloth  and  ashes.  Would  not  the  heathen 
condemn  you  in  this  thing  ?  and  will  not  Nineveh  stand 
up  in  judgment  against  you  ?  How  is  it  that  ye  that  are 
called  Christians  can  willingly  give  room  to  every  idle 
mountebank,  and  can  suifer  your  minds  to  be  drawn  out 
to  hold  these  sinful  divertisements,  which  indeed  direct 
the  mind  from  serious  sense  of  God's  fears  ?  The  peo- 
ple can  be  gathered  there,  and  neither  the  magistrates 
complain  of  tumult,  nor  yet  preachers  and  professors  cry 
out  against  it  as  delusion  or  madness.  O,  my  friends, 
consider :  can  there  be  any  more  strongly  deluded,  than 
for  people  daily  to  acknowledge  and  confess  they  are  sin- 
ful and  sinning  in  words,  and  to  startle  at  that  which 
did  so  lively  represent  unto  them  what  they  own  to  be 
their  own  state  and  condition  ?  I  shall  add  that  which  upon 
this  occasion  I  declared  unto  you,  I  was  for  a  sign  from 
the  Lord  unto  you.  I  desire  ye  may  not  be  among  those 
that  wander  and  perish,  but  rather  repent  and  be  saved. 
And  this  is  my  testimony  unto  you,  whether  ye  will  hear 
or  forbear.  I  have  peace  with  my  God  in  what  I  have 
.done,  and  am  satisfied  that  his  requirings  I  have  answered 
in  this  thing, — Robert  Barclay. 


Etqhtii  AfoyTH  29.]  DAILY    READINGS.  241 

"  Bat  seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteousness  ;  and  all  these 
things  shall  be  added  unto  you."— Matt,  vi.  33. 

THE  fear  of  the  Lord,  which  preserves  from  evil, 
was  placed  in  my  heart  when  I  was  but  eight 
years  old  ;  so  that  I  was  afraid  to  oiFend  Him.  In  the 
twelfth  year  of  my  age,  I  was  mercifully  visited,  and 
called  out  of  the  vanities  of  the  world ;  at  which  time  I 
received  a  promise,  that  if  I  sought  first  the  kingdom  of 
God,  all  other  necessary  things  should  be  added ;  and  I 
have  found  the  promise  true,  for  I  never  have  wanted  any 
of  the  good  things  of  this  life.     *     *     * 

If  all  men  would  "  seek  first  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
and  the  righteousness  thereof,"  and  carefully  attend  to 
the  leadings  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  with  which  all  might  be 
favored,  I  believe  they  would  be  blessed  with  a  sufficient 
portion  of  wealth.  O,  that  mankind  were  wise !  and 
would  early  seek  that  treasure  which  cometh  from  above  ; 
and  which  neither  moth  nor  rust  can  corrupt,  nor 
thieves  break  through  and  steal !  And  may  we  all  be- 
ware of  loving  the  world,  and  living  at  ease,  in  the  en- 
joyment of  its  good  and  pleasant  things  !  Even  those 
who  have  been  favored  with  remarkable  divine  visita- 
tions, and  have  been  put  in  possession  of  "  the  upper  and 
the  nether  springs,"  have  great  need  to  be  on  their 
guard.  When  we  enjoy  health  and  plenty,  and  all 
things  seem  pleasant  around  us,  we  are  prone  to  forget 
the  Lord,  and  neglect  those  "  things  that  belong  to  our 
peace." — David  J^erriSy  aged  72,  1119. 


2-1:2  DAILY    HEADINGS. 


[Eighth  MojjthSO. 


"  Ask  counsel,  we  pray  thee,  of  God,  that  we  may  know  wliether  our  way 
which  we  go  shall  be  prosperous." — Judges  xviii.  5, 

WITH  respect  to  the  present  depending  affair,  do 
not  be  too  hasty  or  precipitate — weigh  it  and 
ever  remember,  that  he  that  believes  makes  not  haste; 
there  are  many  things  to  be  looked  at — thy  place,  thy 
friend's  place.  Things  with  a  fair  face  of  prospect  may  be 
shaded  with  a  gloom ;  sweet  things  in  enjoyment  may 
cliange  to  bitter.  I  woukl  not  cast  anything  before  thee, 
to  embarrass  or  overwhelm,  but  simply  speak  my  feelings. 
Relinquishing  for  the  cause,  in  our  affections,  enriches  of- 
ten, in  spiritual  and  temporal  sense,  and  it  is  often  tenfold 
restored.  It  was  said  in  the  recapitulation  of  the  many 
blessings  dispensed  to  David,  after  showing  him  what  he 
was :  "  and  if  this  had  not  been  enough,  I  would  have 
done  much  tnore."  This  was  done  when  he  was  taken 
off  his  watch,  and  suffered  his  affections  to  sport  \vith  ^ 
beauteous  object,  which,  in  the  end,  made  liim  flee  before 
his  enemy.  This  thou  may  not  think  similar  to  thy  pres- 
ent state,  yet  it  points  to  obedience.     *     *     * 

Let  this  affair,  therefore,  be  hewn  and  squared  in  the 
mount,  before  it  is  adopted ;  and  let  there  be  no  sound 
of  an  artificial  tool  in  bringing  it  about,  that  the  siibsti- 
tuthig  a  member  from  one  part  of  the  body  to  anothei 
may  be  the  Lord's  work— that  you  mdy  be  conducted 
in  wisdom  in  bringing  it  forward  or  letting  it  drop  in 
which  your  acceptance  will  stand,  your  faith  be  con- 
firmed, and  your  lighteousiiess  be  proved,  as  was  i'aith- 
ful  Abraham's. — Samuel  Neale,  Dublin,  Ireland,  17V0. 


BraHTH  Month  31.]  DAILY  KEADINGS.  24S 

"  And  it  came  to  pass,  that,  as  he  was  praying  in  a  certain  place,  when  he 
ieased,  one  of  his  disciples  said  unto  him.  Lord,  teach  us  to  pray."— Luke  xi.  1. 

OTHOU  inexhaustible  source  and  fountain  of  all 
good,  keep  me,  I  pray  Thee,  in  a  state  of  daily 
watchfulness,  so  that  I  may  be  enabled  to  follow  Thee  in 
the  regeneration ;  for  without  this,  dearest  Lord,  I  am  made 
sensible  that  all  pretensions  to  discipleship  will  do  noth- 
ing for  me  in  the  day  of  awful  decision.  Again  hum- 
bled under  a  sense  of  my  entire  inability  even  to  think 
a  good  thought  unaided  by  Thee,  thou  fountain  of  all  good, 
be  pleased,  in  thy  matchless  mercy,  to  keep  me  watch- 
ful, that  I  enter  not  into  temptation.  On  another  occa- 
sion :  Favored  this  evening  with  solemn  quiet,  in  which 
the  spirit  of  supplication  was,  I  think,  livingly  felt,  with 
thanksgiving  for  past  and  present  favors;  earnestly 
craving  that  every  succeeding  day  of  my  life  may  be 
spent  in  watchfulness,  and  fear  of  offending  my  blessed 
Saviour  and  intercessor,  in  thought,  word  or  deed. 
Shortly  before  her  decease  :  May  I  be  strengthened  dili- 
gently to  labor,  pressing  forward  toward  the  mark  for 
the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus 
our  Lord,  that  at  the  end  of  the  race  I  may  be  permit- 
led  to  enter  his  kingdom,  where  the  wicked  cease  from 
troubling,  and  the  weary  are  at  rest.     *     *     * 

I  have  many  outward  blessings  ;  much  to  love  and  en- 
joy ;  but  my  concern  is  so  to  live  and  watch,  that  when 
summoned  to  leave  them  I  may  render  up  my  account 
with  joy,  and  not  with  grief. — Jane  BettU^  Philadelphia, 
1840. 


244  DAILY   KEADINGS. 


[Ninth  Mo:sth  1. 


"  But  what  saith  it  ?    The  word  is  nigh  thee,  even  in  thy  m,outh  and  in  thy 
heart:  that  is  the  word  of  faith  which  we  preach."— Rom.  x.  8. 

SEEKEST  thou,  like  Pilate,  after  Truth  ?  Look  thou 
within.  The  holy  principle  is  there,  that  in  whose 
light  the  pure  hearts  of  all  time  liave  rejoiced.  It  is  the 
great  light  of  ages,  of  which  Pythagoras  speaks — "  the 
good  spirit  "  of  Socrates ;  the  "  divine  mind  "  of  Anaxa- 
goras ;  the  "perfect  principle"  of  Plato;  the  "infallible 
and  immortal  law,  and  divine  power  of  reason  "  of  Plato, 
It  is  the  "  unbegotten  principle  and  source  of  all  light " 
whereof  Timeus  testifieth  ;  the  interior  guide  of  the  soul 
and  everlasting  foundation  of  virtue,  spoken  of  by  Plu- 
tarch. Yea,  it  was  the  hope  and  guide  of  the  virtuous 
Gentiles,  who,  doing  by  nature  the  things  contained  in 
the  law,  became  a  law  unto  themselves.  Look  to  thy- 
self. Turn  thine  eye  inward.  Heed  not  the  opinion  of 
the  world.  Lean  not  upon  the  broken  reed  of  thy  phi- 
losophy, verbal  orthodoxy,  thy  skill  in  tongues,  thy  knowl- 
edge of  the  Fathers.  Remember  that  truth  was  seen  by 
the  humble  fishermen  of  Galilee,  and  overlooked  by  the 
High  Priest  of  the  temple,  by  the  Rabbi  and  the  Phari- 
see. Thou  canst  not  hope  to  reach  it  by  the  metaphy- 
sics of  fathers,  councils,  schoolmen,  and  universities.  It 
lies  not  in  the  high  places  of  human  learning ;  it  is  in 
the  silent  sanctuaiy  of  thine  own  heart ;  for  He  who  gave 
thee  an  immortal  spirit,  hath  filled  it  with  a  portion  of 
that  truth  which  is  the  image  of  His  own  unapproacha- 
ble light.  The  voice  of  that  truth  is  within  thee ;  heed 
thou  its  whisper. —  William  Penn. 


Nmrn  Month  2.]  DAILY  KEADINGS.  245 

"lam  the  Lord  ;  that  is  my  name  ;  and  my  glory  will  I  not  give  to  another, 
neither  my  praise  to  graven  images."— Isa.  xlii,  8. 

WE  may  have  natural  or  acquired  abilities,  we  may 
have  spiritual  gifts  and  graces  conferred  upon 
us,  useful  in  their  kinds  and  in  their  places ;  but  if  they 
tend  to  exalt  the  creaturely,  the  fleshly  part — if  we  look 
more  at  the  splendor  of  the  gift,  than  at  the  Giver — if  we 
endeavor  to  deck  ourselves  with  the  Lord's  jewels,  and  to 
be  conspicuous  in  the  eyes  of  others,  seeking  the  praise 
ol  men  more  than  of  God,  we  shall  suffer  great  loss :  the 
gift  may  for  a  while  be  continued,  for  the  sake  of  the  peo- 
ple ;  but  it  will  decrease  in  beauty  and  lustre,  and  perhaps 
be  wholly  taken  away,  while  the  capricious  applause  of 
unstable  men  will  be  changed  into  contempt.  On  the 
contrary,  not  seeking  honor  one  of  another,  but  the  honor 
which  coraeth  from  God  only  ;  when  a  very  little  matter 
comes  before  us  to  deliver,  not  looking  at  the  smallness 
of  the  morsel,  but  whether  the  Divine  blessing  be  upon  it, 
let  us  not  be  ashamed  to  hand  the  little  even  to  the  mul- 
titude ;  sent  home  by  the  power  of  truth  to  the  conscience, 
it  may  be  altogether  sufiicient.  It  is  remarkable  how  the 
wisest  of  men,  who  spoke  three  thousand  proverbs,  ex- 
presses himself  concerning  a  single  word — '  A  word  fitly 
spoken  is  like  apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of  silver ; '  and 
again,  '  A  man  hath  joy  by  the  answer  of  his  mouth  ; '  and, 
'  A  word  spoken  in  due  season,  how  good  is  it ! '  *  *  * 
The  people  are  too  outward ;  they  have,  many  of  them, 
forsaken  the  Fountain  of  living  waters. — Richard  Shackle- 
ton,  Ballitoro,  Ireland,  1780. 


246  DAILY  READINGS.  ^^^^  Month  8, 

"  I  know  both  how  to  be  abased,  and  I  know  hoAv  to  abound  :  everywhere  and 
in  all  things  I  am  instructed  both  to  be  fall  and  to  be  hungry,  both  to  abound 
and  to  puffer  need."— Philippians  iy.  12. 

I  HAVE  known  the  ease  of  abundance  of  riches,  and 
the  sorrow  and  perplexity  of  comparative  depriva- 
tion ;  I  have  tnown  to  the  full,  I  think,  the  enjoyment  of 
domestic  life ;  even  what  might  be  called  the  fulness  of 
blessing,  and  also  some  of  its  most  soiTowful  and  most 
painful  reverses.  I  have  known  the  abounding  of  the 
mispeakable  and  soul-satisfying  joy  of  the  Lord ;  and  I 
have  been  brought  into  states  when  the  depths  had  well 
nigh  swallowed  me  up.  I  have  known  great  exaltation 
amongst  my  fellow-mortals,  also  deep  humiliation ;  I  have 
known  the  sorrow  of  some  most  tenderly  beloved  being 
taken  from  me  by  death ;  and  others  given  me,  hitherto 
more  given  than  taken.  What  is  the  result  of  all  this 
experience  ?  Jt  is,  even  that  the  Lord  is  gracious  and 
very  merciful,  that  His  compassions  fail  not,  but  are 
renewed  every  morning ;  and  may  I  not  say  that  His  good- 
ness and  mercy  have  followed  me  all  the  days  of  my  life  ? 
Above  all  I  pray  that  whatever  dispensations  I  may  yet 
pass  through,  nothing  may  separate  me  from  His  love,  or 
hinder  me  from  His  service,  but  that  I  may  be  increas- 
ingly and  entirely  devoted  to  Him  in  heart,  mind,  and 
spirit ;  through  the  help  of  my  most  dear  and  blessed 
Kedeemer.— ^//sa^e^A  i^/-y,  1822. 

This  life  is  a  passage,  not  a  port. 


Ninth  Month  4.] 


DAILY    EEADINGS.  247 


"  And  Sameon  said  unto  the  lad  that  held  him  by  the  hand,  Suffer  me  that  I 
may  feel  the  pillars  whereupon  the  house  stamleth,  that  I  may  lean  upon  them. 
Now  the  hou!«e  was  full  of  men  and  women."— Judges  xvi.  26,  27. 


^  ^  ~T~y  LESS  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within 

I  J  me,  bless  his  holy  name."  Notwithstanding 
my  many  seasons  of  poverty  and  inward  distress,  tlie 
foregoing  language  is  sometimes  put  into  my  heart  on  my 
return  from  our  meetings,  which  are,  in  the  bathing  season, 
almost  always  crowded  with  strangers.  Their  manner  of 
coming  in  and  going  out  during  the  time  of  worship  is 
exceedingly  disturbing,  and  yet  I  cannot  but  admire  the 
stillness  which  prevails  when  anything  is  delivered.  The 
help  which  I  at  times  experience  in  these  trying  seasons  is 
wondeiful  in  my  eyes.  When  I  am  concerned  to  stand 
up  in  Ilis  dread  and  fear,  what  have  I  else  to  fear  ?  This 
fear  would  always  cast  out  the  fear  of  man,  which  ever 
brings  death ;  and  yet  so  weak  am  I,  that  after  all  these 
precious  helps  and  comforting  times,  I  tremble  when  the 
meeting-day  comes  again,  lest  I  should  fail  in  doing  the 
Lord's  will.  Such  is  my  fear  before  I  can  rise  to  my  feet 
in  meetings,  that  T  say  with  Samson,  be  with  me  this  once 
more  that  I  may  bear  testimony  to  thy  name ;  then,  if  it 
be  thy  will,  let  me  die  for  thee,  and  I  will  not  think  it  too 
much  to  suffer.  O  that  He  would  be  pleased  to  enlarge 
his  gift  in  my  heart,  and  be  unto  me  mouth  and  wisdom, 
and  give  me  tongue  and  utterance  to  declare  his  name 
unto  the  nations. — John  Yeardley^  aged  37. 

When  Carmel's  Mount  shall  wither,  and  Sharon's  rose  shall  fade,  I  trust  I 
may  find  a  resting-place  in  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom.— Daniel  Whbeleb. 


248  DAILY   EEADINGS. 


[NiKTH  Month  5. 


"  And  now  also  the  ax  is  laid  unto  the  root  of  the  trees  :  therefore  every  tree 
which  bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit  is  hewn  down,  and  cast  into  the  fire."— 
Matthew  ill.  10. 

I  WAS  brought  to  resignation  to  endure  the  world's 
reproaches,  or  anything  it  might  be  suffered  to  in- 
flict, if  the  Lord  would  but  again  lift  up  the  light  of  his 
countenance  upon  me.  The  following  First-day  I  went 
to  meeting,  though  it  rained  hard,  and  I  had  about  three 
miles  to  walk.     *     *     * 

I  continued  diligently  to  attend  meetings,  which  were 
held  in  silence.  Very  few  persons  assembled  there,  and  I 
had  no  communication  with  them  at  all  for  some  time. 
I  have  frequently  considered  since,  that  it  was  a  favor 
that  my  lot  was  cast  in  a  place  where  I  had  no  outward 
dependence  to  lean  upon.  In  religious  meetings,  as  well 
as  out  of  them,  my  single  concern  was  to  feel  after  the 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  my  own  heart.  As  my 
acquaintance  with  these  increased,  so  did  my  exercises. 
My  heart  was  fitly  compared  to  the  ground  covered  with 
thorns  and  briars,  and  even  sturdy  oaks  and  tall  cedars. 
O  hoAV  many  things  had  to  be  removed  out  of  the  way, 
to  give  room  for  the  heavenly  seed  to  grow  !  The  ax 
of  God's  power  was  lifted  up  against  the  root  of  the  cor- 
rupt tree.  As  wave  follows  wave,  so  did  my  exercises. 
Yet  I  must  testify  of  the  Lord's  unspeakable  love  ex- 
tended toward  me :  it  was  great  indeed.  The  sense  of 
it  was  so  much  with  me,  that  I  do  not  know  whether 
tears  of  joy  and  gratitude  have  not  flowed  as  plentifully 
as  those  of  grief,  which  latter  have  not  been  few. — 
Stephen  Grellet,  aged  22. 


Ninth  Month  6.]  DAILY  EEADINGS.  249 

"  There  are  diversities  of  gifts,  but  tlie  same  spirit.  There  are  differences 
of  administrations,  but  the  same  Lord.  There  are  diversities  of  operations, 
bu^  it  is  the  same  God  that  worketh  all  in  all."— 1  Cor.  xii.  4,  5,  6. 

EVERY  gift  of  God  is  from  the  one  and  self-same 
spirit  of  truth  that  is  come  by  Jesus  Christ ;  for 
which  reason,  though  we  may  seem  to  differ  in  our  gifts 
one  from  another,  yet  the  design  and  end  is  the  same, 
and  the  same  spirit  as  in  one,  so  in  all,  assisting  to  that 
end,  which  is  to  turn  people  from  darkness  to  light,  and 
from  the  power  of  Satan  to  God,  that  they  may  be  edi- 
fied in  the  true  gospel,  receiving  a  remission  of  their  sins, 
and  an  assurance  of  inheritance  among  them  that  are 
sanctified  through  the  only  begotten  Son  of  God. 

Now  there  must  be  some  time  to  gain  experience  and 
understanding,  before  any  one  can  come  to  a  settlement 
and  true  and  perfect  knowledge  of  his  own  gift ;  and  for 
want  of  a  right  settlement  and  true  knowledge  of  this 
gift,  and  keeping  to  it,  and  in  it,  is  the  cause  of  many  of 
the  mistakes  that  are  committed  in  the  exercise  of  it. 

The  Scriptures  and  ministry,  from  the  openings  of  the 
Spirit,  seemed  so  close  and  plain  to  my  understanding, 
that  I  wondered  anybody  remained  unconvinced,  suppos- 
ing them  to  see  the  truths  of  the  Gospel  in  the  same 
light  that  I  did.  That  saying  of  the  Apostle,  wherein  he 
asserts  his  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God  being  come,  to 
be  by  "  receiving  an  understanding  from  him,"  was 
clearly  discovered  to  me,  so  that  I  plainly  saw  a  distinc- 
tion between  the  children  of  light  and  the  children  of 
this  world. — Samuel  Boionas. 


250  DAILY  HEADINGS.  [Ninth  Month  7 

"  I  will  stand  upon  my  watch,  and  set  me  upon  the  tower,  and  will  watch  to 
see  what  He  will  say  unto  me,  and  what  I  shall  answer  when  I  am  reproved."— 
Hab.  ii.  t. 

THE  farther  I  advance  in  my  course  along  this  valley 
of  mist  and  obscurity,  the  more  evidently  am  I 
permitted  to  discover — the  more  frequently  am  I  con- 
strained to  admire  the  infinite  condescension  of  the 
Lord.  O  how  sincerely  can  I  exclaim  with  the  Psalm- 
ist, "  What  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him,  or 
the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest  him."  Fervent  indeed 
have  been  my  desires,  and,  still  more  and  more  so,  as  the 
visitations  of  condescending  mercy  have  been  renew- 
edly  extended — that  my  whole  heart  may  be  prepared 
for  the  reception  and  further  manifestations  of  this  great 
and  gracious  Guest  O  may  there  be  in  my  inmost 
thoughts  and  imaginations,  as  well  as  over  my  words 
and  outward  demeanor,  such  a  constant  watchfulness, 
as  may  evidence  a  holy  awe  and  fear  of  giving  Him  of- 
fense, or  occasioning  a  separation  between  Him  and  my 
soul. 

O  thou  who  seest  in  secret,  and  to  whom  my  most  se- 
cret petitions  are  thoroughly  known,  and  known  to  ascend 
even  daily  and  hourly, — ^be  pleased,  in  thy  exceeding 
great  compassion  and  wonted  mercy,  to  hand  me  a  lit- 
tle help.  Grant  that  I  may  be  made  willing  to  follow 
thee  whithersoever  thou  leadest,  and  to  become  whatso- 
ever thou  wouldest  have  me  to  he.^  John  Barclay,  1816. 
Religion  regulates  the  will  and  affections. 


Ninth  Month 8] 


DAILY    READINGS.  251 


"  For  I  have  laid  upon  thee  the  years  of  their  iniquity,  according  to  the  num- 
ber of  the  days,  three  hundred  and  ninety  days  ;  po  shall  thou  bear  the  iniquity 
01  tne  house  of  Israel.  And  when  thou  hast  accomplished  them,  lie  again  upon 
thy  right  side,  and  thou  shalt  bear  the  iniquity  of  t  he  house  of  Judah  forty  days ; 
I  have  appointed  thee  each  day  for  a  year."— Ezek.  iv.  5,  6. 

I  HAVE  seen  the  mystery  of  the  prophet  laying  three 
days  and  three  nights  in  the  belly  of  the  fish.  *  * 
Our  Saviour's  sufferings  for  mankind,  and  afterwards  de- 
scending into  the  bowels  of  the  earth,  prefigured  that 
his  followers  must,  after  his  pattern,  descend  into  spiritual 
baptism  ;  that  they  may  rise  again,  freed  from  the  dregs 
of  nature  and  from  the  corruptions  of  the  creaturely  pas- 
sions, before  they  can  be  qualified  to  see  and  snitably  to 
administer  to  the  states  of  others.  I  have  likewise  seen 
the  mystery  of  Ezekiel's  sufferings,  and  bearing  the  sins 
of  the  house  of  Israel  for  the  space  of  three  hundred  and 
ninety  days,  which  being  accomplished,  he  was  com- 
manded to  turn  on  the  other  side,  and  to  bear  the  sins  of 
Judah  forty  days,  for  the  corruptions  of  that  princely 
tribe,  who  should  have  been  as  way-marks  to  others.  My 
state  has  been  for  several  years  past,  my  deep  baptisms 
and  painful  sittings  in  our  meetings,  like  bearing  the  rod 
of  the  wicked ;  in  which  dispensation  I  have  been  some- 
times ready  to  conclude  with  Elijah,  that  the  altars  were 
thrown  down  and  the  Lord's  prophets  slain,  and  I,  a  mean 
worthless  servant,  left  alone,  and  that  my  life  was  sought 
also.  I  have  now  seen  the  use  of  those  dispensations  to 
me,  with  the  use  of  my  late  sickness,  whereby  I  am  re- 
duced to  great  weakness  of  body  ;  that  I  might  be  as  a 
sign  to  this  generation — John  Churchman. 


252  DAILY    READINGS. 


[NikthMonth9. 


"  Blessed  are  the  merciful ;  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy."— Matt.  v.  7. 

IT  is  highly  necessary  for  mortals  to  show  mercy  in 
all  tlieir  words  and  actions  one  to  another ;  and  also 
to  the  creatures  which  God  hath  made  for  the  use  of  man. 
It  is  usually  said,  that  a  merciful  man  is  merciful  to  his 
beast,  which  generally  is  true ;  and  if  men  are  merciful 
to  their  beasts,  how  much  more  ought  they  to  be  merci- 
ful one  to  another.  Where  mercy  is  to  be  extended,  it 
ought  not  to  be  done  sparingly,  since  thereby,  according 
to  Christ's  blessed  doctrine,  we  are  to  obtain  mercy. 
That  servant  who  showed  no  mercy  to  his  fellow,  had  no 
mercy  sliowed  to  him  from  his  Lord.  It  is  also  recorded, 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  "  He  hath  shown  unto  thee,  O 
man  !  what  is  good,  and  what  doth  the  Lord  require  of 
thee,  but  to  do  justly,  love  mercy,  and  walk  humbly  with 
thy  God."  By  which  it  appears  that  we  are  not  just  in 
the  sight  of  God,  if  we  are  cruel  and  unmerciful  one  tb 
another.  And  we  ought  not  only  to  be  merciful,  but  to 
love  it,  which,  if  we  are  truly  humble,  we  sliall  certainly 
do.  Mercy  will  lessen,  and  not  magnify  weakness,  fail- 
ings, or  small  and  trivial  things,  one  in  another;  and 
sometimes,  as  the  case  may  require,  larger  tilings.  Yet 
there  is  room  for  seasonable  reproof  and  correction  ;  but 
mercy  must  be  mixed  with  justice,  else  the  correction 
may  end  in  tyranny.  We  ought  to  be  gentle  to  all  men, 
which  is  a  token  of  true  gentility ;  so  to  be  truly  merci- 
ful, is  to  be  blessed,  and  to  obtain  mercy. — Thomas 
Chalklt/. 


Ninth  Month  10]  DAILY   READINGS.  253 

"  For  there  will  I  turn  to  the  people  a  pure  language,  that  they  may  all  call 
npon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  to  serve  him  with  one  consent." — Zeph.  iii.  9. 

I  AM  not  sure  of  the  precise  time,  but  I  think  it  was 
very  soon  after  my  father's  decease,  and  after  a  visit 
from  my  dearest  sister  Fry  to  our  family  and  meeting, 
that  as  I  lay  in  bed  one  night,  light  from  above  seemed 
to  beam  upon  me  and  point  in  a  very  explicit  manner, 
the  duty  of  submitting  to  decided  Quakerism^  more  par- 
ticularly to  the  humbling  sacrifice  of  "  plainness  of  speech, 
behavior,  and  apparel." 

The  visitation  was  strong,  but  my  will  was  stronger; 
I  would  not,  I  did  not  comply ;  putting  off  what  appeared 
to  me  almost  unbearable  to  a  more  convenient  season. 
I  was  then  rather  more  than  tAventy-one  years  old,  and  the 
morning  sacrifice  was  not  bound  to  the  horns  of  the  Lord's 
altar  with  the  integrity,  boldness,  and  simplicity  which 
the  case  required.  Many  persons  might  say  that,  taking 
into  view  the  danger  of  imagination  in  such .  measures, 
I  did  well  in  resisting  the  call.  After  a  space  of  nearly 
thirty  years,  full  of  a  variety  of  experiences,  I  am  not  of 
this  judgment ;  for  I  believe  that  nothing  is  more  profi- 
table than  ready  obedience  of  faith,  and  nothing  more 
dangerous  than  the  contrary.  In  my  own  case,  the  effect 
of  irresolution  was  a  painful  state  of  spiritual  weakness, 
and  when  at  last  I  made  the  sacrifice  it  was  lamely  done, 
and  under  circumstances  of  still  greater  humiliation  to 
the  pride  and  vanity  of  my  own  heart  than  it  would 
have  been  at  first. — J.  J.    Gurney,  1812. 


254  DAILY   READINGS.  [Ninth  Month  11. 

"  I  will  ingtract  thee  and  teach  thee  in  the  way  which  thou  shalt  go.    I  will 
guide  thee  with  mine  eye/'— Psalm  xxxii.  8. 

ALAS  !  I  am  still  a  prey  to  evil  desires.  But  thanks 
be  to  God,  his  grace  has  visited  me  at  seasons  ;  I 
do  feel  and  know  my  own  great  weakness,  and  have  been 
enabled  at  times  to  pray  fervently  to  the  Lord  of  our 
salvation  for  his  gracious  assistance.  *  *  *  jj^ 
knoweth  the  frailty  of  our  natures,  and  I  am  humbly  led 
to  hope  that  the  spiritual  light  with  which  he  has  lately 
favored  his  sinful  servant  may  be  the  beginning  of  his 
work  on  my  heart,  and  may  fortify  me  in  time  against  the 
many  temptations  that  surround  me.  O  may  a  continual 
watchfulness  and  unshaken  perseverance  on  my  part  bnng 
down  upon  me  the  increase  of  his  grace,  and  pre- 
pare me  for  the  more  constant  influence  of  his  Holy 
Spirit.  I  have  not  yet,  by  any  means,  perfected  myself 
ill  the  habit  of  digesting  and  reasoning  upon  what  I  read ; 
I  am,  however,  improved  in  this  respect,  and  am  more 
than  ever  sensible  of  its  importance.  *  *  *  Another 
consideration  which  has  lately  occupied  much  of  my  at- 
tention is  this,  whether  or  no  I  should  give  up  the  amuse- 
ment of  field  sports.  ********** 
I  have  this  day  come  to  my  determination,  and  have 
solemnly  renounced  them  for  ever.  May  the  spirit  of  the 
Lord  support  me  in  this,  as  in  all  other  good  resolutions, 
tor  of  myself  I  am  nothing. — J,  J,  Gurney,  aged  18, 
1817. 


Ninth  Month  12.]  DAILY  READINGS.  255 

"  And  I  will  bring  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they  know  not,  I  will  lead  them  in 
paths  that  they  have  not  known  ;  I  will  make  darkness  light  before  them,  and 
crooked  things  straight."— Ipaiah  xlii.  16. 

IHAYE  had  a  faint  light  spread  over  my  mind,  at  least 
I  believe  it  is  something  of  that  kind,  owing  to  hav- 
ing been  much  with,  and  heard  much  excellence  from  ont- 
who  appears  to  me  a  true  Christian.*  It  has  caused  me 
to  feel  a  little  religion.  My  imagination  has  been  worked 
upon,  and  I  fear  all  I  have  felt  will  go  off.  I  fear  it  now  ; 
though  at  first  I  was  frightened,  that  a  plain  Quaker 
should  have  made  such  an  impression  on  me ;  but  how 
truly  prejudiced  in  me  to  think,  that  because  good  came 
from  a  Quaker,  I  should  be  led  away  by  enthusiasm  and 
folly.  But  I  hope  now  I  am  free  from  such  fears.  I  wish 
the  state  of  enthusiasm  I  am  in  may  last,  for  to-day  I 
have  felt  that  thefeisa  God;  I  have  been  devotional, 
and  my  mind  has  been  led  away  from  the  follies  that  it 
is  mostly  wrapt  up  in. 

We  had  much  serious  conversation ;  in  short,  what  he 
said  and  what  I  felt  was  like  a  refreshing  shower  falling 
upon  earth,  that  had  been  dried  iip  for  ages.  It  has  not 
made  me  unhappy :  I  have  felt  eVCr  since  humble.  I  have 
longed  for  virtue.  I  hope  to  be  truly  virtuous;  to  let 
sophistry  fly  from  my  mind;  not  to  be  enthusiastic  and 
foolish;  but  only  to  be  so  far  religious  as  will  lead  to 
virtue.  There  seems  nothing  so  little  understood  as  re- 
VigioT\,— 'Elisabeth  Gmmey^  aged  18,  1*798. 

*  Wm.  Savery. 


256  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Ninth  Month  13. 


•'  But  the  Comforter,  which  is  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom  the  Father  will  ecnd  ir 
my  name,  he  shall  teach  yon  all  things,  and  bring  all  things  to  your  remem- 
brance, whatsoever  I  have  said  unto  you."— John  xiv.  26. 

IN  relation  to  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  man  is  to  be 
viewed  as  a  spiritual  agent,  a  fallen  but  immortal 
being,  placed  for  a  time  in  this  world,  as  in  a  scene  of 
probation,  that  through  faith  and  righteousness  while 
here,  he  may,  by  the  aid  of  divine  grace,  be  prepared  for 
a  glorious  and  an  eternal  state  of  existence  hereafter. 

He  must  be  regarded  as  subject  to  the  authority  and 
government  of  Christ,  his  paramount  Lord,  deriving  all 
good  from  Him,  who  is  ready,  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  to  en 
lighten,  reprove,  animate,  and  direct  him,  showing  him 
his  duty,  and  requiring  his  obedience,  pointing  out  from 
time  to  time  the  evil  to  be  forsaken  and  the  good  to  be 
embraced,  and  who  will  judge  him  accordingly  at  the 
last  day. 

The  instructions  being  spiritual,  whether  by  the  imme- 
diate perceptible  influence  of  the  Spirit  of  truth,  or 
through  the  medium  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  the  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel,  or  the  course  of  Divine  Providence — 
the  considerations  and  motives  are  spiritual  also,  having 
reference  chiefly  to  spiritual  obedience  and  disobedience, 
to  heavenly  rewards  and  punishments.  At  the  same  time, 
it  must  be  thankfully  acknowledged,  as  an  additional  in- 
centive, that  "  Godliness  is  profitable  unto  all  things, 
having  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is,  and  of  that  which 
IS  to  come." — John  Allen^  England,  1853. 


Ninth  Month  14.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  257 


"  Thy  people  shall  be  willing  in  the  day  of  thy  power,  in  the  beauties  of  holiness 
from  the  womb  of  the  morning ;  thou  hast  the  dew  of  thy  youth." — Psalm  ex.  3. 

IF  we  only  pretend  to  be  actuated  by  that  grand  and 
noble  principle  of  Truth — if  we  are  only  satisfying 
ourselves  with  a  name  to  Christianity,  and  at  the  same 
time  are  destitute  of  the  life  and  power  of  religion,  we 
are  mocking  God,  and  deceiving  our  own  poor  souls. 
And  such  as  these  are,  I  fear,  in  a  worse  state  than  those 
who  openly  rebel  and  manifest  that  they  are  children  of 
the  world,  and  so  enemies  to  the  cross,  because  they  are 
true  to  their  king,  though  he  be  an  enemy  to  the  king- 
dom of  love  and  light. 

It  is  religion  only  that  beautifies,  and  where  that  is 
wanting  (I  don't  mean  a  name  only)  the  distinction  be- 
tween a  reprobate  and  a  Christian  is  also  wanting.     *     * 

I  am  often  encouraged  in  remembering  the  apostle's 
declaration:  "If  there  be  first  in  you  a  willing  mind,  a 
man  is  accepted  according  to  that  which  he  hath,  and 
not  according  to  that  which  he  hath  not."  So  that  to  be 
entirely  willing,  or  in  other  words  unreservedly  dedi- 
cated to  the  Lord's  serving,  is  the  sure  prelude  to  his 
blessed  favor  and  acceptance.  This  I  am  striving  for,  and 
sometimes  think  I  feel  pretty  near  it,  when,  may-be  in  the 
instant  moment  of  struggling,  the  poor  unmortified  crea- 
ture shrinks,  draws  its  neck  from  the  yoke  and  its  shoulder 
from  the  burden,  and  then  it  is  all  to  do  over  again  with 
renewed  exercise  and  increasing  labor. — Rebecca  JoneSy 
1779. 


258  DAILY    ItEADINGS. 


[Ninth  Month  15 


'•And  they  did  all  eat,  and  were  filled;  and  they  took  up  of  the  fragmentg 
that  remained  twelve  baskets  full."— Matt.  xiv.  20. 

WHEN  the  Son  of  God  had  wrought  that  mighty 
miracle  of  feeding  five  thousand  persons  with 
only. five  loaves  and  two  small  fishes,  he  said  to  his  disci- 
j)les,  "  Gather  up  the  fragments  that  remain,  that  nothing 
be  lost." 

This  preface  no  sooner  fell  to  my  share,  than  this  pas- 
sage was  brought  to  my  mind,  and  very  aptly  to  the  oc- 
casioi).  For  our  blessed  Lord  having  also  efiectually 
gathered  and  fed  his  people,  by  his  disciples,  in  this  gene- 
ration, it  is  a  duty  we  owe  to  God  and  ourselves,  as  well 
as  to  thera,  that  "  we  gather  up  the  remainder  of  their 
testimonies  of  love  and  service,  that  so  nothing  be  lost." 
To  God  we  owe  it,  for  his  unspeakable  benefit ;  to  our- 
selves, for  our  example  and  instruction ;  and  to  the  mem- 
ories of  such  deceased  brethren,  as  their  just  but  fairer 
and  more  lasting  monuments  than  those  of  engraven 
tables  of  marble,  or  statues  of  brass,  as  their  works  look 
beyond  this  world,  so  their  praise  will  outlive  it.  There 
is  an  unfading  glory  in  the  labors  of  good  men ;  and 
though  death  is  permitted  to  draw  a  dark  shadow  over 
their  persons,  they  will  live  in  the  just  reputation  of  their 
good  works,  the  lively  character  of  their  undying  pious 
minds. 

It  cannot  wither  their  fame,  or  obliterate  their  names  ; 
on  the  contrary,  death  often  silences  envy  and  augments 
their  deserved  praise. — B.  Barclay. 


NirxTH  Month  1G.] 


DAILY   READINGS^  259 


*'  Thou  Shalt  offer  it,  a  sacrifice  made  by  fire,  of  a  sweet  savour  unto  tbft 
Lord."— Numb,  xxviii.  8. 

HOW  much  sweeter  than  roses  or  their  incense,  I 
have  thought,  is  the  piety  evinced  by  some  of 
our  beloved  young  Friends,  who  are  called  upon  in  the 
morning  of  their  day  to  prove  their  allegiance  by  theij' 
acquiescence  in  the  will  of  their  Creator  and  their  Re- 
deemer. For  early  or  late,  living  or  dying,  resignation 
appears  to  me  tlie  only  altar  on  which  an  acceptable 
sacrifice  of  any  kind  can  be  offered,  and  submissively  to 
place  upon  this  altar  the  opening  j^rospects  of  early  life; 
and  even  life  itself  seems  to  be  one  of  the  deepest  and 
most  precious  experiences  of  a  Christian.     *     *     * 

For  how  instructive  and  edifying,  as  we  have  often 
heard  and  seen,  the  closing  moments  of  some  dear  young 
persons  are  found  to  be,  even  whei'e  the  appearance  of 
piety  has  lain  much  concealed  from  outward  observation, 
it  has  neverthelesss  been  elicited  in  an  extraordinary 
degree  on  the  approach  of  death.  Then  a  faith  not  built 
upon  systems,  but  on  the  Rock  of  Ages,  has  shone  fort,h 
with  effulgence  and  power;  then  a  hope  not  deduced 
from  the  subtleties  of  the  schools  has  to  the  humbling 
admiration  of  beholdei*s  discovered  itself,  as  an  an- 
chor to  the  departing  soul,  sure  and  steadfast,  and  the 
whole  of  the  case  has  manifested,  too  clearly  to  be  mis' 
taken,  that  not  more  by  their  expressions,  though  these 
are  sometimes  remarkable,  than  by  the  strength  of  mind 
with  which  th«y  were  enabled  to  pass  through  the  valley 
and  shadow  of  death. — Jonathan  Hutchinson,  Eng.,  1782. 


/^ 


260  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Ninth  Moxth  17 


"  Even  a  child  is  known  by  his  doings,  whether  his  work  is  pure,  and  whether 
it  be  right.  "— Prov.  xx.  11. 

DESIRES  were  raised  in  my  childish  heart,  when  I 
was  not  more  than  seven  years  old,  that  I  might 
be  better  than  some  I  saw  who  spoke  bael  words  and 
behaved  naughtily.  I  loved  to  attend  religious  meetings, 
yet  dreaded  to  go  there  or  to  school,  -as  there  were  then 
but  few  Friends  in  the  city,  and  my  garb  distinguishing 
me  as  one,  the  boys  in  the  street  called  me  Quaker,  and 
used  other  reviling  language.  I  would  gladly  have 
changed  my  dress,  but  my  parents  would  not  indulge  rae 
in  this,  and  I  think  it  was  the  means  of  preserving  me 
from  improper  associations  and  some  idle  amusements. 
Though  I  wa«  not  clear  at  times  of  indulging  in  foolish  and 
extravagant  play,  yet  I  was  considered  orderly  both  by 
my  elder  friends  and  school-fellows.  One  of  the  latter 
being  taken  sick,  and  apprehending  he  would  not  recover, 
told  his  mother,  as  she  was  watching  by  his  bed-side,  that 
if.  he  was  as  good  a  boy  as  I,  he  should  not  be  afraid  to 
die.  This  being  reported  to  me  I  was  much  alFected, 
knowing  he  was  mistaken,  and  that  I  was  not  as  good  as 
he  thought  me,  but  I  resolved  to  endeavor  to  do  better. 

A  few  days  after  this,  as  I  was  passing  through  the 
street,.  I  gave  way  to  some  noisy  and  improper  conduct, 
and  looking  behind  me  I  saw  the  mother  of  the  aforesaid 
lad  near,  and  thought  she  obseiwed  my  foolish  conduct, 
at  wliich  I  was  so  distressed  that  I  sought  a  place  of 
retirement  and  wept  bitterly. — Henry  Hull,  Harriso?i's 
Purchase^  Westchester  Co.,  State  of  JVew  Ycrk,  1772. 


Ninth  Month  18.]  DAILY    READINGS.  261 

"Ponder  the  path  of  thy  feet,  and  let  all  thy  ways  be  established.    Turn  no< 
to  the  right  hand  nor  to  the  left :  remove  thy  foot  from  evil."— Prov,  iv.  2(3,  27. 

I  MENTION  this  occurrence*  of  my  childish  days, 
to  show  that  a  sense  of  propriety  of  conduct  is 
early  awakened  in  the  minds  of  children ;  and  if  parents, 
and  those  who  have  the  care  of  their  tuition,  were  care- 
ful to  clierish  this  feeling,  and  lead  their  infant  minds 
into  the  paths  of  piety  and  virtue,  there  would  be  more 
sons  and  daughters  walking  therein.     *     *     * 

About  my  ninth  year,  I  had  a  severe  illness,  by  which 
I  was  reduced  very  low.  After  my  recovery  I  was  sent 
into  the  country.  I  often  rambled  alone  among  the 
forests  and  over  the  green  fields,  indulging  my  contempla- 
tive turn  of  mind.  The  remembrance  of  these  solitary 
walks  is  often  revived,  especially  when  I  behold  the 
places  where  the  groves  and  rocks  and  birds  were  wit- 
nesses of  my  plaintive  soliloquies,  whilst  reviewing  the 
beauties  of  nature ;  by  which  my  thoughts  were  turned 
to  reflect  upon  the  infinite  wisdom  of  the  great  Creator, 
and  desires  increased  that  I  might  live  in  His  fear  and 
partake  of  His  favor.  The  evil  example  of  wicked  and 
rude  boys  often  drew  me  to  join  them  in  folly,  and  I 
sinned  and  felt  great  condemnation,  frequently  weeping 
for  my  misconduct.  But  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for 
His  great  fove  wherewith  He  loved  us,  saith  the  apostle, 
even  when  we  were  dead  in  sin,  hath  quickened  us  to- 
gether witli  Christ ;  by  grace  ye  are  saved. — Henry  IIull^ 
1782. 

*  See  opposite  page. 


DAILY    KEADINGS.  [Ninth  Month  i{» 


"  If  he  call  thee,  that  thou  shalt  say,  Speak ;  for  thy  servant  heareth,  so  Sam- 
uel went,  and  laid  down  in  his  place."— 1  Samuel  iii.  9. 

SAMUEL'S  want  of  experience  caused  him  to  run  to 
Eli  when  the  Lord  called  him,  being  a  stranger  to 
the  Divine  voice;  and  my  ignorance  left  me  in  a  situation 
somewhat  similar,  so  that  I  did  not  consider  the  uneasiness 
I  felt,  and  the  desire  I  felt  tahide  my  conduct,  as  proceed- 
ing from  the  reproofs  of  Divine  Gi-ace.  Eli  instructed 
Samuel  how  to  answer  the  Lord's  call,  and  by  obedience 
he  became  an  eminent  Seer  in  his  day  *,.  and  this  induces 
me  ta  think  it  riglit  for  parents  and  tutors  to  use  great 
simplicity  of  language  when  instructing  children,  and  to 
teach  them  to  live  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  though  their 
capacities  may  not  be  so  matured  as  to  comprehend  the 
sublime  doctrines  of  the  Gospel.  For  want  of  this  knowl- 
edge, many  are  mere  professors  of  the  letter,  while  they 
deny  the  power,  the  spiritual  appearance  of  Christ  to  the 
soul ;  when,  as  the  holy  "^  Word  which  is  quick  and  pow- 
erful, and  sharper  than  any  two-edged  sword,"  He  appears 
unto  them,  as  be  did  unto  Saul,  whilst  he  was  a  persecutor. 
It  is  His  "  quickening  Spirit"  that  brinies  man  under 
condemnation  for  transgression,  and  as  a  faithful  witness, 
teaches  children,  even  in  tlieir  early  days,  to  know  good 
fi-om  evil ;  and  were  suitable  examples  set  before  them,  in- 
stead of  evil,  joined  witii  pious  labors  by  p'arents  and 
guardians,  to  tra.n  up  children  in  the  fear  of  the  Loi*d> 
and  turn  their  attention  to  this  inspeaking  word  of  Divine 
Grace,  they  would,  I  believe,  be  more  like]}  to  choose 
tlie  ways  of  piety  and  virtue. — Henry  I^ull. 


Ninth  Month  20.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  263 


"  But  to  do  £jood  and  to  communicate,  forgot  not ;  for  with  such  sacrifices  Gk)d 
Is  well  pleased."— Hob.  xiii.  16. 

MY  lieart  lias  often  been  tendered  towards  the  ris- 
ing generation  whilst  traveling  in  this  land, 
( Treat  Britain  and  Ireland,  with  desires  that  they  may  coii- 
sidev  and  justly  appreciate  their  privileges.  Many  of 
you  are  in  easy  circumstances,  and  some  of  you  are 
exposed  to  the  dangers  and  temptations  of  affluence. 
May  you  now,  in  the  bloom  of  your  days,  think  of  the 
importance  of  a  well-spent  life  !  and  if  you  are  not  called 
into  public  service,  as  some  have  been  before  you, 
consider  how  you  are  spending  your  time.  Is  it  to  ad- 
vance the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness,  or  is  it 
merely  to  gratify  yourselves  ?  When  at  your  toilets, 
shrink  not  at  the  idea  of  death,  which,  when  reflected 
upon,  sometimes  preserves  from  pride.  When  poring 
over  light  and  trifling  publications,  with  which  the  pres- 
ent age  abounds,  or  when  using  pencil  or  needle  merely 
to  amuse,  think  whether  your  <  time  might  not  be  more 
profitably  spent  in  reading  the  Scriptures,  with  other 
pious  writings  or  useful  publications ;  in  working  for  the 
poor  of  your  respective  neighborhoods,  visiting  the  sick, 
or  administering  to  their  wants.  By  these  laudable  pur- 
suits, the  mind  becomes  prepared  for  usefulness,  in  the 
promotion  of  the  cause  of  religion  to  the  glory  of  Go;! 
and  the  comforting  of  His  people.  I  love  you,  and  am 
comforted  in  believing  many  of  you  love  the  truth.  Deai 
children,  hold  on  your  way  ;  regard  not  the  scorner,  noi 
the  supercilious  brow  of  the  wicked. — Henry  IIull^  1812. 


264  DAILY    READINGS. 


[[Ninth  Month  21. 


"Behold  the  Kingdom  of  God  is  within  j'oii."— Luks  xvii.  21. 

THE  great  Orderer  of  nature  and  the  God  of  all  grace 
has  visited  you,  in  order  to  make  you  His ;  as  an 
inward  care  and  feeling  are  kept  to,  I  trust  it  will  be  so ;  and 
that  you  will  more  and  more  become  serviceable  in  your 
day  by  yielding  obedience  to  that  which  influences  -and 
disposes  to  follow  the  Lord  in  His  leadings  and  require- 
ings.  The  way  to  hear  the  language  of  the  Spirit  is  to 
be  within  y  it  is  often  slow  of  utterance  unless  we  are 
willing  and  obedient;  the  quicker  we  are  to  hear  and  ac- 
tive in  obeying,  the  readier  and  oftener  it  speaks  to 
our  instruction  and  furtherance  in  great  sanctification. 
And  as  you  have  been  made  partakers  of  the  powers  of 
the  woi'ld  to  come,  live  near  its  quickenings  ;  it  leads  into 
solitude  and  solitary  places,  and  out  of  the  spirit  of  the 
world  and  its  inordinate  love  of  visibles.     *     *     * 

In  this  state  we  feel  at  times  a  joy  and  rejoicing  that 
encourages  us  to  persevere;  in  wliich  we  are  ready 
to  conclude  that  nothing  shall  be  able  to  separate  us 
from  serving  the  Lord.  And  perhaps  this  lasts  for  a  sea- 
son ;  but  this  abates  with  the  withdrawings  of  life,  and 
the  world  and  the  things  of  it  often  gain  strength  in  our 
affections — but  it  is  beyond  a  doubt  with  me,  that  a  re- 
ligious faithful  discharge  of  our  duty  to  God  and  his 
Church  is  the  way  to  prosper  inwardly  and  outwardly, 
and  to  enjoy  a  Kingdom  on  earth  far  superior  in  dignity 
and  glory  to  any  Emperor  or  King  that  fears  not  God. — 
Samuel  Neale^  Ireland,  lYYl. 


Ninth  Month  22.]  DAILY   KEADIXGS.  265 

"  Unto  the  wicked  God  saith,  what  hast  thou  to  do  to  declare  my  statutes,  or 
that  th  u  shouldst  take  my  covenant  in  thy  mouth,  seeing  thou  hatest  instruc- 
tion, and  casieth  my  words  behind  thee."— Psalm  1.  16, 17. 

THERE  must  be  a  state  of  sanctification  (in  degree) 
known,  by  the  spirit  of  judgment  and  burning, 
before  any  can  be  proper  objects  to  be  receivers  of  tliis 
inspiring  gift,  that  can  only  assist  a  minister,  and  make 
him  instrumental  of  doing  good  to  others.  The  tree 
must  be  good,  e'er  the  fruit  can  be  so ;  and  right  and 
true  ministers  are  to  be  known  by  their  fruits.  This  be- 
ing granted,  which  I  think  can't  be  denied,  then  it  fol- 
lows that  none,  without  being  qualified,  can  be  called  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry  by  a  divine  inspiration  of  the 
Holy  Spirit ;  and  therefore  all  vile  and  ungodly  persons, 
while  they  continue  in  that  natural  and  unregenerate  state,  • 
are  excluded  from  any  part  in  this  gift ;  and  although  some 
such  may  pretend,  that  either  with  their  learning  or  by 
their  money,  or  both,  they  may  have  acquired  or  made 
purchase  of  orders  for  liberty  to  preach,  and  may  on  this 
foundation  undertake  to  expose  what  they  have  to  sell, 
but  what  they  sell  is  no  other  than  what  they  have 
bought. — Samuel  J^ownas,  1702. 


Temptation,  'tis  true  will  assail. 

And  that,  without  and  within ; 
And  deeply  his  soul  must  bewail, 

For  inward  corruption  and  sin, 

—J.  J.  Gurnet. 


266  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Ninth  Month  23. 


"  Blessed  are  ye,  when  men  shall  revile  you,  and  persecute  you,  and  shall 
say  all  manner  of  evil  a^'a  nst  you  falsely,  for  my  sake.  Rejoice  and  be  exceed- 
ing glad;  for  great  is  your  leward  in  heaven;  for  so  persecuted  they  the 
prophets  which  .were  before  j'ou."'— Matt.  v.  11, 12. 

rpiHERE  is  a  persecution,  as  before  hinted,  by  calumny, 
_L.  and  reproach,  or  reviling,  by  evil  speaking  and 
falsities,  which,  for  the  most  part,  it  is  better  patiently 
and  quietly  to  suffer  for  Christ's  sake,  and  if  we  are 
abused  to  appeal  to  him ;  for  many  times  words  beget 
words,  till  at  last  it  comes  to  prejudice,  and  breaks  the 
unity  and  peace  of  brethren  and  ^imilies.  So  that  in  a 
general  way,  one  had  better  suffer  the  calumnies  and  re- 
proaches of  evil  men,  with  a  tender  concern  for  God's 
glory,  resting  in  the  blessing  of  Christ,  and  that  thou  wilt 
most  surely  feel  if  thou  canst  appeal  to  him  in  this  wise, 
"Lord,  thou  knowest.I  suffer  this  wrong  for  thy  sake." 
In  such  sufferings  there  is  an  inward  joy,  a  spiritual  re- 
joicing ;  and  the  heart  of  the  persecuted  is  abundantly 
more  glad,  through  the  blessing  and  goodness  of  Christ, 
than  the  persecutor,  whose  conscience  accuseth  him  in 
secret.  And  as  to  personal  persecution,  it  is  no  more 
than  the  prophets  and  our  Lord  suffered  before  us  ;  and 
with  that  consideration  Christ  comforts  his  suffering 
seed ;  those  who  suffer  with  him  and  his  seed,  these  have 
the  promise  of  reigning  with  him;  and  liimself  hath 
promised  them  a  reward,  no  less  than  the  kingdom  of 
heaven. — Thomas  Chalkli/. 

I  found  no  narrowness  respecting  sects  and  opinions ;  but  believed  that 
sincere,  upright-hearted  people  in  every  so.iety  who  truly  love  God,  were  ac» 
cepted  of  Ilim.— John  Woolman. 


Ninth  Month  24.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  267 


"  Keep  thy  foot  when  thou  goest  to  the  house  of  God,  and  be  more  ready  to 
hear  than  to  give  the  eacriflce  of  fools." — Eccl.  v.  1. 

IN  the  yearly  meeting  the  little  active  service  I  had, 
I  believe  Friends  united  with,  and  I  may  almost 
say,  I  was  thankful  that  little  did  devolve  uix>n  me ;  for 
I  thought  I  saw,  more  clearly  than  I  had  ever  done  be- 
fore, that  it  does  truly  require  great  weight  and  power, 
such  as  are  not  often  given,  except  to  those  of  much  ex- 
perience, to  move  acceptably  in  these  large  meetings ;  and 
that  many  that  were  often  wise  in  other  places  might 
there  be  in  especial  danger  of  offering  the  sacrifice  of  fools, 
particularly  in  prayer — the  sense  of  it  over  the  meeting 
being  caught  by  those  not  fitted  to  convey  the  expres- 
sion of  it  to  so.  large  an  assembly,  and  so  taking  the  place 
of  those  who  might  have  conveyed  it  more  rightly.  Yet 
the  weakest  should  not  be  discouraged,  because  they 
sometimes  miss  the  way,  nor  the  simplest  in  following 
the  obedience  of  faith,  because  it  does  not  always  tell  for 
much  among  their  fellow-mortals.  No  doubt  the  Mas- 
ter of  assemblies  often  ruled  over  all,  and  kept  things  in 
right  order,  which  was  generally  very  conspicuous.*  *  * 
Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ?  Lett  to  ourselves, 
they  are  impossible.  We  can  only  go  foi-waixl  under  an 
humble  trust  that  streui^th  will  be  given  s;i:fii;Ient  for  the 
part  wo  may  be  eallel  upon  to  perform.  If  our  humility 
is  but  increased  thereby,  the  end  may  be  answered.  May 
we  bow  low  enough  to  be  shielded  from  danger,  tjjough 
we  cannot  escape  trial. — Hannah  C.  Backlumtie^  1827. 


268  DAILY    KEADIXGS. 


[Ninth  Month  25. 


"  Blessed  are  ye,  when  men  shall  revile  you,  and  persecute  you,  and  shall  say 
aU  manner  of  evil  against  you  falsely,  for  my  sake."— Matt.  v.  11. 

IN  1(361,  the  Parliament  passed  another  act,  aimed  di- 
rectly at  the  Society,  providing  that  any  Quaker  re- 
fusing to  take  an  oath,  Avhen  lawfully  tendered,  or  who 
should  maintain,  in  writing  or  otherwise,  the  unlawfulness 
of  taking  an  oath ;  or  if  live  or  more  Quakers,  above  the 
age  of  sixteen  years,  should  assemble  for  religious  worship, 
they  should  forfeit  five  pounds  for  the  first  oftence,  or 
suffer  three  months'  imprisonment,  doubling  the  penalty 
for  the  second  offence ;  and  for  the  third,  they  were  to 
abjure  the  realm,  or  be  transported.*  "^  *  Severe  as  were  the 
sufferings  of  Friends  under  these  oppressive  laws,  their 
constancy  was  not  shaken.  They  fearlessly  and  openly 
met  for  the  solemn  duty  of  divine  worship,  notliing  daunt- 
ed by  the  terrors  which  threatened  them.  This  Christian 
boldness  exasperated  their  enemies,  especially  the  perse- 
cuting priests  and  magistrates;  and  another  law  was 
procured  more  prompt  and  terrible  in  its  operation.  It 
declared  that  every  person  taken  at  a  meeting  consisting 
of  more  than  five,  besides  the  household,  should  suffer 
three  months'  imprisonment,  or  pay  a  fine  of  five  pounds 
on  conviction  before  two  justices,  double  the  penalty  for 
the  second  offence  :  being  convicted  of  a  third  before  the 
justices  at  the  Quarter  Sessions,  should  be  transported  for 
seven  years  or  pay  one  hundred  pounds  fine ;  in  case  they 
returned  or  escaped,  they  should  be  adjudged  felons^ 
and  sentenced  to  death.  Thomas  Events.  {Introdactory 
remarks  from  the  life  of  Geo.  Fox.) 


NmTH  MoxTH  26.]  "^"'Y    READINGS.  269 

"  They  shall  beat  their  swords  into  plough  shares,  and  their  spears  into  prun- 
Ing-hooks :  nation  shall  not  lift  up  sword  against  nation,  neither  shall  they  learn 
war  any  more."—  Isa.  ii.  4. 

IT  is  one  amongst  the  numerous  moral  phenomena  of 
the  present  times,  that  tlie  inquiry  is  silently  yet 
not  slowly  spreading  in  tlie  world :  Is  War  compatible 
with  the  Christian  religion  ?  Tliere  was  a  period  when 
the  question  was  seldom  asked,  and  when  war  was  re- 
garded almost  by  every  man  both  as  iiieA'itable  and  right. 
That  period  has  certainly  passed  away  ;  and  not  only  in- 
di>riduals  but  public  societies,  and  societies  in  distant  na- 
tions are  urging  the  question  upon  the  attention  of  man- 
kind. 

It  is  not  unworthy  of  remark,  that  whilst  disquisitions 
are  frequently  issuing  from  the  press,  of  which  the  ten- 
dency is  to  show  that  war  is  not  compatible  with  Chris- 
tianity, judicious  attempts  are  made  to  show  that  it  is. 
Whether  this  results  from  the  circumstance  that  no  indi- 
vidual peculiarity  is  interested  in  the  proof — or  that  there 
is  a  secret  consciousness  that  proof  can  not  be  brought — 
or  that  those  who  may  be  desirous  of  defending  the  cus- 
tom rest  in  security  that  the  impotence  of  its  assailants 
will  be  of  no  avail  against  a  custom  so  established  and  so 
supported — I  do  not  know:  yet  the  fact  is  remarkable, 
that  scarcely  a  defender  is  to  be  found.  It  can  not  be 
doubted  that  the  question  is  one  of  the  utmost  interest 
and  importance  to  man.  Whether  the  custom  be  defen- 
sible or  not,  every  man  should  inquire  into  its  consistency 
with  the  moral  law. — Jonathan  Dymond^  London,  1852. 


270  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Ninth  Month  27. 


''  I  have  been  young,  and  now  I  am  old ;  yet  have  I  not  seen  the  righteous  for- 
saken, nor  his  seed  begging  bread/'— Psalm  xsxvii.  25. 

ACCORDING  to  the  resolution  of  a  good  man  of 
old,  who  in  his  prayers  said,  From  my  youth  Thou 
liast  taught  me,and  now  likewise  when  I  am  old  and  gray- 
headed,  OLord!  forsake  me  not,  until  I  have  showed  thy 
strength  to  another  generation,  and  thy  power  to  those 
who  are  yet  to  come  ;  and  as  the  Lord  is  tlAis  near  us,  we 
shall  be  very  near  and  dear  one  unto  another. 

T  have  a  true  unity  with  thee  in  thy  concern  on  account 
of  Friends'  children ;  and  a  jealousy  sometimes  on  my 
mind,  lest  the  ensuing  generation,  receiving  the  profession 
of  Truth  in  a  traditional  way,  and  being  unacquainted 
with  the  wonders  of  the  Lord,  which  he  has  wrought  for 
his  exercised  people,  in  their  travels  through  the  wilder- 
ness, may  be  ready  to  sit  as  those  who  are  at  ease  in 
Zion,  and  trust  in  the  mountains  of  a  formal  profession. 
The  Lord,  I  beseech  him,  turn  away  this  careless  and 
lukewarm  spirit  from  among  the  offspring  of  his  people  ; 
and  engage  the  young  generation  in  zeal  and  fervency  in 
ids  service.  As  to  Friends  here,  though  some  are  too 
careless,  yet  there  is  a  remnant  whose  delight  is  in  the 
Lord,  and  to  whom  he  delights  to  do  good,  and  to  refresh 
with  the  visitations  of  his  presence,  whereby  their  strength 
is  renewed  season  after  season.  And  the  spirit  of  some 
!»re  concerned,  and  their  mouths  sometimes  opened  on 
God's  account,  being  made  witnesses  of  the  operation  of 
his  Divine  Power,  by  Avhich  they  are  stirred  up  to  speak 
his  i>rsiise.-^ Thfu7ias  GwuDi^Falmouth,  England,  1692* 


Ninth  Month  28.] 


DAILY   KEADINGS.  271 


"  Wait  on  the  Lord,  be  of  good  courage,  and  He  shall  strengthen  thy  heart." 
—Psalm  xxvii.  14. 

I  WOULD  therefore  rather  encourage  thee  to  dili- 
gence in  the  duties  of  the  closet,  to  private  reading 
of  the  Scriptures,  to  close  self-examination,  meditation, 
and  secret  prayer,  than  to  suifer  thyself  to  be  drawn  forth 
into  much  conversation  or  writing  on  the  spiritual  con- 
cerns. If  thou  look  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  desire  to  be 
his  sincere,  humble  follower,  He  has  proniisL'd  such 
"  shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  shall  have  the  light  of 
life,"  and  there  is  no  teaching  like  his  teaching. 

With  respect  to  visiting  the  sick  and  poor,  thou  kno west 
I  have  always  encouraged  thee  to  think  of  them,  and  to 
attend  to  their  temporal  wants ;  and  if,  in  the  course  of  thy 
visits  amongst  them  for  this  purpose,  thou  feel  inclined 
to  read  to  them,  it  is  a  very  useful  and  profitable  employ- 
ment for  thee  and  them.  ]  >ut  I  need  scarcely  say  to  thee, 
it  requires  great  caution  and  much  religious  experience. 
to  speak  suitably  to  persons  who  are  perhaps  undergoing 
the  correcting  discipline  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  or 
whom  He  may  be  training,  by  many  afflictions,  for  a  bet- 
ter inheritance.  "To  speak  a  word  in  season"  requires 
the  assistance  of  that  Spirit  which  only  can  teach  us  to 
speak  aright,  and  therefore  I  would  say,  it  is  often  safer, 
especially  for  young  persons,  to  offer  up  a  secret  prayer 
on  their  behalf,  than  to  express  ourselves  to  them  under 
the  influence  of  present  excitement. — Maria  Fox,  1837. 


"272  DAILY     READINGS. 


[NiXTH  Month  29. 


'^  And  every  man  that  striveth  for  the  mastery,  is  temperate  in  all  thin;^."— 
1  Cor.  ix.  25. 

OH !  the  deplorable  effects  of  the  degrading  vice  of 
Intemperance  on  the  body,  soul,  and  temporal 
substance  of  numbers  who  unhappily  indulge  in  it ;  whose 
are  debased  below  those  of  the  brute  creation.  It  lays  men 
open  to  every  temptation,  and  reduces  many  fro'n  opulent 
circumstances  to  extreme  poverty.  It  is  destructive  of 
every  delicate  social  enjoyment ;  it  often  emaciates  the 
body,  deprives  the  soul  of  its  highest  good,  the  divine 
presence,  whilst  in  time ;  and,  if  continued  to  the  end  of 
it,  finally  excludes  it  from  Christ's  pure  kingdom  of  ever- 
lasting bliss. 

Alas  !  that  men  should  indulge  in  it  to  their  sliame. 
Solomon  saith  truly,  "  Wine  is  a  mocker,  strong  drink  is 
raging,  and  whosoever  is  deceived  thereby  is  not  wise  ;" 
again,  who  hath  woe  ?  who  hath  sorrow  ?  who  hath  con- 
tentions ?  w^ho  hath  babbling  ?  who  hath  wounds  with- 
out cause  ?  who  hath  redness  of  eyes  ?  They  that  tarry 
long  at "  the  wine,  that  go  to  seek  mixed  wine.  Look  not 
thou  upon  the  wine  when  it  is  red,  when  it  giveth  his 
color  in  the  cup,  when  it  raoveth  itself  aright.  At  the 
last  it  biteth  like  a  serpent,  and  stingeth  like  an  adder." 

May  such  be  persuaded  to  bow  in  the  day  of  God's 
merciful  visitations  to  their  souls,  and  kiss  the  Son  lest 
he  be  angry,  and  they  perish  from  the  way  of  life  and 
salvation.  His  sacred  laws  of  unchangeable  truth  are  as 
manifest  in  the  punishment  of  transgressors  as  in  the  re- 
ward of  those  who  do  well. —  Catherine  Phillips,  1157, 


Ninth  Month  30.]  DAILY   READINGS.  273 

'  I  exhort  therefore,  that,  ftret  of  all,  supplicationj,  prayers,  intercessions,  and 
givlngi'f  thanks,  be  made  for  all  men  ;  for  kiujjs.  and  for  all  that  are  in  author- 
ity/'—1  Timothy  ii.  1,  2. 

TO  King  William  of  England. — It  hath  pleased 
Almighty  God  to  bring  me  mito  this  place,  two 
hundred  miles  from  my  outward  dwelling,  in  my  old  age, 
(being  entered  into  my  85th  year),  to  bear  my  testimony 
for  that  eternal  Truth  which  I  and  many  others  are  made 
partakers  of — praised  be  the  Lord  !  But  I  am  not  free  to 
return  to  my  habitation  until  I  have  cleared  myself  unto 
this  Government.  I  was  exercised  in  this  manner  the 
first  year  King  Charles  II.  came  to  the  crown  ;  and  labored 
among  them  at  court  a  whole  year  to  acquaint  them  with 
our  principles. 

And  now  I  am  about  to  acquaint  King  WiUiam  that  we 
have  been  a  people  for  about  thirty-six  years,  having  lived 
under  several  reigns;  and  we  have  suffered  very  much, 
as  is  well  known  to  the  nation  of  England,  even  to  the 
death  of  several  hundreds  by  imprisonments  and  other 
hardships. 

Yet  we  were  never  found  in  the  transgression  of  any 
just  or  righteous  law,  but  only  suffered  upon  account  of 
our  consciences  towards  God. 

And  God  hath  placed  thee  over  this  Government,  who 
hast  been  very  moderate  and  merciful  to  us,  and  we  live 
very  comfortably  under  thee.  God  has  blessed  thy 
Government  and  prospered  thy  undertakings,  for  which 
the  King  and  we  have  cause  to  bless  his  Holy  name. 
— Margaret  Fox^  London,  1698. 


274:  DAILY    HEADINGS. 


[Tenth  Month  1. 


"  AH  the  paths  of  the  Lord  are  mercy  and  truth  unto  such  as  keep  his  cove- 
nant and  testimonies."— Pealm  XXV.  10. 

IF  we  resign  ourselves,  through  every  loss  and  cross, 
to  the  disposal  of  our  Holy  Head,  and  endeavor  dil- 
igently to  "  keep  all  His  testimonies ;"  if  we  resolve  to 
follow  the  Lord's  Spirit,  in  all  things,  we  may  reverently 
belie A^e  He  will  preserve  us  unhurt.  The  humble  hope 
may  then  arise,  that  His  OAvn  eternal  power  will  again  be 
known  to  abound  among  us ;  and  that  many  living  wit- 
nesses to  the  truth  will  yet  be  raised  up,  within  our  bor- 
ders, to  the  praise  of  His  glorious  name.  There  is  proba- 
bly no  body  of  Christians  by  whom  these  precious 
truths  have  been  more  clearly  advanced  than  by  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends.  It  has  always  appeared  to  them,  that 
the  free  and  immediate  teaching  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ  is 
the  main  characteristic  of  that  new  covenant  which  was 
established  in  the  world  by  his  propitiatory  death. 
♦     *     ♦     « 

In  conclusion  I  would  express  an  earnest  desire  that 
Ave  may  be  enabled  more  and  more  to  commend  our  re- 
ligious Society,  in  secret  and  fervent  prayer,  to  God. 
Let  us  pray  that  we  may  be  taught  of  Him,  to  open  our 
hearts  and  understandings  to  the  whole  ti-uth,  as  it  is  in 
Jesus ;  that  we  may  stand  with  immoveable  steadfast- 
ness on  the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  Je- 
sus Christ  himself  being  the  chief  corner-stone  ;  and  thaf 
on  this  foundation  we  may  be  built  up  a  spiritual  temple 
which  shall  ever  bear  the  inscription  of  Holiness  unto  th< 
Lord. — J.  J.    Gurney, 


Tenth  Month  2.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  275 


"  The  word  of  God  is  not  bound."— 2  Timothy  ii.  9. 

IN  the  seed  of  life  that  is  over  all  whom  the  Lord 
doth  support,  and  hath  supported  by  his  eternal 
arm  and  power,  to  stand  for  his  glory,  be  valiant  for 
His  truth  and  His  name  upon  the  earth,  who  is  God — All- 
sufficient  and  Almighty  over  all,  to  support  you  all,  and 
to  supply  you  with  all  things  needful.  Now,  dear  friends, 
it  is  not  only  given  you  to  believe  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
but  also  to  suffer  for  His  name's  sake ;  so  you  see  and 
know  it  is  a  gift  given  you  to  believe,  a  gift  to  suffer  for 
Christ's  sake  and  his  righteousness.  But,  however,  as 
Christ  saith,  "  Be  ye  as  wise  as  serpents,  and  hai-mless 
as  doves ;"  for  Christ's  believers  are  as  sheep  or  lambs 
among  wolves ;  he  hath  declared  that  they  shall  be  brought 
before  councils,  and  before  rulers,  for  his  name's  sake,  but 
Christ  bids  his  disciples  "take  no  thought  how  or 
what  ye  shall  speak,  for  it  shall  be  given  you  in  that 
same  hour  what  ye  shall  speak.  For  it  is  not  ye  that 
speak,  but  the  Spirit  of  your  Father  which  speaketh  in 
you  ;  *  and  this  Spirit  of  the  Father  is  sufficient  to  trust 
to,  for  it  shall  answer  all,  if  they  have  ears  to  hear,  and 
will  comfort  his  people,  his  lambs  and  sheep.  And  the 
disciple  is  not  above  his  master,  nor  the  servant  above 
his  lord,  for  Christ  the  Lord  and  master  of  the  sheep  was 
despised  ;  so  it  is  enough  for  the  disciple  that  he  be  as 
his  master,  and  the  servant  as  his  Lord.  *  *  Amen, 
—  George  Fox, 

♦  Matthew  x.  19,  20. 


^76  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Tekth  Moxth  3. 


"  I  will  praise  thee  ;  for  I  am  fearfully  and  wonderfully  made :  ma rv. -Ions  are 
thy  works  ;  and  that  my  soul  knoweth  right  well."— Psalm  cxxxix.  14, 

HEALTH  is  an  extraordinary  favor !  I  think  it  is 
wonderful  that  the  machines  of  our  bodies  should 
go  sueli  a  length  of  time  without  being  out  of  order, 
considering  the  complicated  variety,  and  minuteness,  and 
delicacy  of  the  organs  which  compose  them.  May  we  be 
enabled  acceptably  to  acknowledge,  and  often  i-etum  due 
homage  for  the  manifold  mercies  which  we  receive  our- 
selves, and  also  to  intercede  for  divine  protection  and 
relief  to  be  extended  to  othei-s  in  distress  and  affliction  of 
body  and  mind !  I  doubt  not  thy  frequent  visits  to  such : 
they  are  more  becoming  a  Christian  society — more 
befitting  the  disciples  of  Christ  to  be  exercised  in,  than 
insipid,  formal,  cursory  visits  of  show  and  ceremony, 
where  light,  supei'ficial  talk,  and  an  impertinent  busying 
in  other  people's  matters  is  indulged.  This  is  not  the 
intercourse  which  the  Lord  has  chosen  for  his  i>eople,  but 
that  they  should  seek  to  visit  one  another  in  his  name, 
under  the  influence  of  his  pure  power,  and  therein  either 
keep  to  an  inward  travail  of  spirit  for  the  arising  of  it,  or, 
in  a  pro^^er  freedom,  maintain  a  conversation  savory  and 
edifying.  This,  I  apprehend,  is  the  way  to  grow  in 
service.  Time  is  sliort  and  is  minutely  to  be  accounted 
for.  The  work  we  are  called  to,  the  spreading  of  the 
holy  principles  of  Christianity  among  men,  is  awfully 
important ;  where  is  there  room,  then,  for  idleness,  su- 
pineness,  and  indifference. — Richard  Shackleton^  Ireland, 
1786. 


Tenth  Month  4.]  DAILY   READINGS.  2T7 

"  Stand  ye  iu  the  ways  and  see,  and  ask  for  the  old  paths,  where  is  the  good 
way,  and  walk  therein,  nndye  shall  find  rest  for  your  souls, "— Jer.  vi.  16. 

IF  Christ  be  not  accepted  in  all  his  gracious  offices, 
and,  as  ability  is  aiforded,  set  forth  in  the  same,  the 
sure  consequence  is  a  gradual  lapse  into  heresy — an  ob- 
servation which  applies  with  equal  force  to  those  wlio  dis- 
regard his  coming  in  the  flesh  as  the  Revealer  of  truth, 
and  tlic  Propitiation  for  sin,  and  to  those  who  think  light- 
ly, and  dwell  very  curiously  (if  at  all)  on  his  appearing 
in  the  heart,  by  his  Spirit.  It  seems  impossible  that  any- 
thing can  be  more  striking  than  the  lessons  which  have 
been  read  to  us,  on  both  tliese  points,  of  late  seasons. 
My  very  soul  is  penetrated  with  the  conviction  of  the  ex- 
cellence, beauty,  and  perfection  of  pure  primitive  Chris- 
tianity, as  held  by  Friends.  The  evangelical  foundation, 
the  spiritual  superstructure,  what  a  delightful  harmony 
between  the  two ;  what  a  unit  in  the  glorious  whole  ! 
Wlio  sliall  dare  to  mar  it  either  by  diminution  or  addi- 
tion ?  I  do  not  mean  that  the  whole  should  be  brought 
forward  in  every  sermon ;  but  the  whole  should  be  deeply 
dejiosited  in  the  mind  of  every  preacher  of  the  gospel, 
and  be  brought  from  the  treasure-house  as  the  state  of 
the  liearers  may  require,  under  the  immediate  influen- 
ces of  the  Spirit  of  Truth. — J.  J.  Gurney^  1820, 

W<nild  t''>  God  this  divine  virtue  were  more  implanted  and  diffused  among 
rannUind.  tile  pretenders  of  Christianity  especially  ;  and  we  should  certainly 
mind  piety  more  than  controversy ;  and  exercise  love  and  compassion,  instead 
of  censuring  and  persecuting  one  another,  in  any  manner.— Wm,  Penn,  1690. 


278  DAILY    EEADmGS. 


[Tenth  Month  6. 


"  Pehold,  happy  is  the  man  whom  God  correcteth  :  therefore  despise  not 
thon  the  chastening  of  the  Almighty."— Job  v.  17. 

TFIIS  day  seven  years  we  entered  London  as  a  resi- 
dence. The  time  has  not  passed  over  unmarked 
by  anxiety  and  trouble,  and  has  included  some  steps  of  the 
spiritual  journey  different  from  any  which  had  been  pre- 
viously trodden.  But  mercy  hath  abounded,  and  out  of 
many  trying  circumstances,  and  what  may  be  termed 
evil^  good  has  been  brought.     *     *     * 

I  often  think  t'.at  trouble  is  more  favorable  as  it  regards 
me  than  comparative  ease,  for  I  never  remember  to  have 
experienced  such  refreshing  incomes  of  heavenly  strength 
as  when, "  because  of  oppression,  affliction,  and  sorrow, "  I 
have  been  brought  low ;  and,  crying  unto  the  Lord  in 
my  distresses,  have  found  him  mercifully  willing  to  com- 
fort and  sustain,  though  he  hath  not  seen  meet  to  deliver 
fi-om  trouble  at  the  time,  or  in  the  way  nature  may 
have  craved. 

The  great  public  calamity  which,  in  the  ordering  of 
infinite  wisdom,  has  befallen  this  nation  and  empii-e, 
spreads  general  sadness.  The  amiable  and  promising 
princess  Charlotte,  whom  all  ranks  agree  in  lamenting, 
was  last  night  committed  to  the  silent  tomb,  and  now 
lies  as  low  as  the  poorest  and  most  destitute  individual. 
What  a  lesson  for  the  young,  gay,  and  prosperous ;  and 
how  must  Christians  pray  that  it  may  be  read  by  those  to 
whom  the  awful  circumstance  is  most  deeply  interesting, 
and  who  have  witnessed  the  solemn  appendages  of  de- 
parted royalty  ! — Charlotte  Dudley,  1817. 


Tenth  Month  6.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  279 


"For  there  are  three  that  bear  record  in  heaven,  the  Father,  the  Word,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost :  and  theise  three  are  one."— 1  John  v.  7. 

THE  Spirit  is  with  the  Father,  and  with  the  Son,  is 
present  everywhere,  filleth  all  places,  and  is  for 
ever  and  ever.  He  trieth  all  things,  and  revealeth  the 
things  of  the  Father  and  the  Son  unto  all  that  believe 
in  the  Son.  He  makes  manifest,  and  searcheth  into  the 
deep  things  of  God,  and  witnesseth  the  salvation  of  the 
just,  and  the  condemnation  of  the  unjust.  He  is  not 
absent  from  any  place.  The  Father  and  the  Son  work 
all  things  through  him,  and  bring  all  things  in  heaven 
and  earth  to  pass  by  him.  He  works  in  the  hearts  of 
the  children  of  men,  and  in  every  one  witnesseth  of 
the  Father  and  of  the  Son,  to  the  justness,  greatness, 
righteousness,  and  j^ower  of  the  Eternal  Creator,  that 
made  all  things  by  the  Son  through  his  Eternal  Spirit, 
which  is  one  with  the  Father  and  with  the  Son,  and  is 
the  worker  of  their  will  and  mind  in  all  things.  He 
worketh  in  the  wicked  to  reprove  them,  and  to  wit- 
ness against  them  that  God  is  angry  Ayith  them.  He 
worketh  in  the  righteous,  and  witnesseth  the  love,  and 
mercy,  and  peace  of  the  Father  unto  them. — Edward 
Burroughs  London,  1657. 


A  minister  of  the  gospel  ought  to  be  one  of  Chrisfs  making,  if  he  would  pass 
for  one  of  Christ's  ministers.  And  if  he  be  one  of  his  making,  he  knows  and 
does  as  well  as  believes. — Wm.  Penn. 

True  religion  is  a  refuge  inaccessible  to  either  the  violence  or  fraud  of  mcu. 
—George  Dillwtn. 


280  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Tbnth  Month  7. 


•'Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul;  and  why  art  thou  disquieted  in  me  ? 
hope  thou  in  God  ;  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him  for  the  help  of  his  countenance." 
— Psalm  xlii.  5. 

"  Then  He  arose  and  rebuked  the  winds  and  the  sea,  and  there  was  a  great 
calm."— Matt.  viii.  26. 

THEREFORE  be  not  discouraged,  O  thou  tossed  as 
with  tempest,  nor  dismayed  in  thyself ;  because 
thou  seest  such  mighty  hosts  of  enemies  rising  up 
against  thee,  and  besetting  thee  on  every  side ;  for  none 
was  so  beset,  and  tried,  and  tempted  as  the  true  Seed 
was,  who  was  a  man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with 
grief.  But  be  thou  still  in  thy  mind,  and  let  the  billows 
pass  over,  and  wave  upon  wave ;  and  fret  not  thyself  be- 
cause of  them,  neither  be  cast  down,  as  if  it  never  should 
be  otherwise  with  thee :  sorrow  comes  at  night,  but  joy 
in  the  morning ;  and  the  days  of  thy  mourning  shall  be 
over,  and  the  accuser  will  God  cast  out  for  ever.  For 
therefore  was  I  afflicted,  and  not  comforted,  and  tempted, 
and  tried  for  this  end,  that  I  might  know  how  to  speak  a 
word  in  due  season,  unto  those  who  are  tempted  and  af- 
flicted as  I  once  was,  as  it  was  said  unto  me  in  that  day, 
when  sorrow  lay  heavy  upon  me.  Therefore  be  not  dis- 
Cdnsolated,  neither  give  heed  unto  the  reasonings  and 
disputings  of  thy  own  heart,  nor  the  fears  that  are  there- 
from ;  but  be  strong  in  the  faith,  believing  in  the  light 
whicli  lets  thee  see  them,  and  his  grace  thou  will  know 
to  be  sufficient  for  thee,  and  his  strength  to  be  made  per- 
fect in  weakness.  And  so  thou  will  glory  in  tliy  infirmi- 
ties and  his  power  to  rest  upon  thee. — John  Crook,  1660. 


Tenth  Month  8.]  DAILY    READINGS. 


281 


"  Blessed  a  e  the  pure  in  heart ;  for  they  shall  see  God.— Matt.  v.  8. 

BY  whicli  we  may  uiidorstMiid,  that  we  are  to  take 
care  of  our  hearts,  and  to  keep  a  strict  watch  over 
them  ;  and  not  admit  unclean  or  unchaste  thoughts,  or 
sinful  desires,  to  have  an  entrance  therein.  And  if  at 
unawares,  they  should  at  any  time  enter,  we  must  not 
entertain  or  love  them,  but  turn  tliem  out ;  for  we,  in  this, 
should  bo  like  our  heavenly  Father,  of  purer  eyes  than 
to  behold  iniquity  with  any  allowance  or  approbation  : 
otherwise  it  will  hinder  us  from  seeing  God,  and  from  the 
sweet  enjoyment  of  his  most  precious  presence,  and  from 
beholding  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father,  and  the  full- 
ness of  his  grace  and  truth,  which  we  cannot  see  if  our 
hearts  are-  impure.  We  have  an  instance  in  the  scribes 
and  pharisees,  who,  though  they  w^ere  outwardly  right- 
eous and  clean,  yet  within  were  very  impure,  so  that  they 
could  not  see  God,  though  he  was  in  Christ  reconciling 
the  world  to  himself:  notwithstanding  their  nice  discern- 
ing eyes,  yet  they  could  not  see  him,  for  the  impurity  of 
their  hearts  ;  which  was  so  great  that  they  murdered  the 
just  One,  their  hearts  being  full  of  deceit  and  hypocrisy. 
"  Make  clean  the  inside,  and  the  outside  will  be  clean 
also,"  says  Christ :  from  whence  it  appears  that  a  true 
Christian  must  be  clean  both  Avdthin  and  without.  The 
beginning  of  the  work  of  purity  and  sanctity  must  be 
within ;  and  being  innocent  and  pure  in  heart,  we  sliall 
then  see  the  glory  of  the  Father,  the  lovely  beauty  of  the 
Son,  and  the  power  of  tlie  Holy  Ghost. —  Thomas  Chalkly, 


282  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Tenth  Month  9. 


'•  God  is  the  Lord,  which  hath  showed  us  light :  bind  the  sa  rifices  with  cords, 
even  unto  the  horns  of  the  altar."— Psalm  cxviii.27. 

THE  time  seems  come  when  I  must  claim  the  notice 
of  my  friends,  and  I  can  truly  say  that  it  is  under 
an  awful  sense  of  the  greatness  as  well  as  the  goodness 
of  God,  that  I  venture  to  acknowledge  that  my  mind  has 
often  been  led  to  admire  and  adore  his  power ;  and  whilst 
it  has  been  matter  of  humbling  consideration  that  He 
should  deign  to  employ  so  mean  an  instrument  in  any 
part  of  his  work  or  service,  my  spirit  has  been  enabled 
and  made  willing  to  bow  in  entire  submission  to  his  Holy, 
righteous  will,  and  to  dedicate  myself, — all  that  I  am, 
and  all  that  I  possess, — in  sim2)le  obedience  to  his  re- 
quirings.  For  many  years  I  have  seen  that  if  I  continued 
alive  in  the  truth,  yielding  faithfully,  in  the  integrity  of 
my  heart,  to  the  leadings  of  my  great  Lord  and  Master,  I 
should  be  called  to  more  extensive  labors,  to  promote  his 
great  cause  in  the  earth,  and  to  travel  in  distant  and  remote 
lands.  And  now  of  later  time  the  call  has  appeared 
louder,  and  in  endeavoring  to  dwell  near  to  Him,  who,  I 
reverently  believe,  has  thus  called  me  into  his  service,  there 
has  seemed  no  other  way  but  to  stand  resigned,  giving 
up  all,  and  faithfully  following  the  Divine  requirings. 
It  has  appeared  that  if  I  would  not  forfeit  that  sense  of 
ncceptance  with  my  Maker,  which  I  value  beyond  every 
earthly  joy,  I  must  cross  the  waves  and  billows  of  the 
great  ocean,  and  visit  the  churches  on  the  continent  of 
North  America. — Hannah  C.  Backhouse,  1830. 

Piety  is  the  best  panoply. 


TiN^H  Month  10.]  DAILY   KEADINGS.  283 

"  But  strong  meat  belongeth  to  them  that  are  of  full  age,  even  those  who  by 
reason  of  us^e  have  their  senses  exercised  to  discern  both  good  end  evil."— He- 
brews V.  14. 

I  AM  veiy  sensible  this  is  the  respite  that  often  the 
first  gracious  and  humbling  visitation  of'  the  Holy 
Being  affords  to  his  favored  children,  to  give  them  a  full 
opportunity  to  view  their  own  defilements  and  irregular 
passions,  and  the  purity,  truth,  and  harmony  of  religion, 
with  all  its  attractive  qualities  and  perfections,  and  that 
the  soul  may  be  filled  with  an  abhorrence  of  the  one,  and 
the  pleasing  prospect  and  delight  o.f  the  other.  Thus  as 
babes  are  we  attended,  taken  by  the  hand,  and  gently  led 
along ;  but  after  all,  it  is  expected  that  we  grow  in  strength, 
and  in  the  more  manly  exercises  of  the  soul  than  our 
infant  state  will  admit  of,  and  may,  perhaps,  be  tried 
again  and  again  with  those  very  temptations  which  have 
formerly  presented;  and  who  knows  but  they  a  little 
harden  upon  our  bands,  as  we  become  more  capable  to 
determine  our  actions  in  favor  of  the  Christian  religion, 
and  a  truly  sober  and  virtuous  life.  Enemies  without 
may  assail,  and  barrenness  and  poverty  of  soul  within. 
—  William  Longmire,  Kendal,  1736. 

Now,  dear  Friends,  all  keep  in  the  unity  of  God's 
Holy  Spirit,  which  is  in  the  bond  of  peace,  And  in  the 
same  Spirit  of  God  be  all  of  one  mind,  and  one  judgment. 
And  in  the  same  spirit  feel  the  love  of  God  shed  in  your 
hearts,  which  bears  and  endures  all  things ;  which  love 
nothing  below  is  able  to  separate  you  from.  And  in  this 
love  of  God,  the  body  of  Christ,  (which  he  is  the  head  of) 
is  edified. — London  Epistle^  1728. 


284  DAILY    READIXaS. 


[Tenth  Month  11. 


*'  He  that  paith  he  abideth  in  him  ou;j;ht  himself  also  so  to  walk,  even  as  he 
walked."-- John  i .  6. 

WHEREAS  you  have  received  the  truth,  every 
one  with  all  carefulness  may  walk  in  it ;  and  as 
I  have  often  exhorted,  so  I  would  put  you  in  mind  again, 
that  you  meet  often  together,  and  when  met,  labor  to  be 
rightly  exercised  in  mind  towards  God  in  your  particular 
gifts,  and  tliat  none  give  way  to  an  indifferent  mind  or  a 
conceited  spirit,  whicli  blinds  the  eye  of  the  pure  mind, 
but  every  one  keep  to  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  so 
in  that  you  will  be  enabled  to  withstand  that  spirit  that 
leads  to  sleep  and  unconcernedness,  which  some  have  been 
too  much  inclined  unto,  to  the  great  dishonor  of  God, 
tlieir  own  great  hurt,  and  to  the  trouble  and  grief  of 
honest  Friends;  for  where  truth  is  not  lived  in,  in  the 
inward  parts,  that  spirit  takes  place,  and  so  brings  forth 
such  fruits.  Also  be  tender  to  every  green  thing  that 
appears,  and  labor  that  such  things  be  weeded  olit  of 
your  assembly  as  cumber  and  hurt ;  for  this  I  do  see, 
that  neither  a  man  nor  a  meeting  shall  ever  be  right  before 
God,  till  evil  be  purged  out  the  heart.  Let  the  notion 
of  religion  be  what  it  will,  those  that  walk  in  the  truth 
do  and  will  receive  tlie  goodness  of  God  when  met 
together ;  it  is  such  that  take  delight  to  come  together  on 
God's  account,  and  cannot  cry,  "  ]My  business,  my  busi- 
ness ; "  neither  will  they  be  hindered  by  it,  for  they  know 
the  great  business  is  to  increase  their  strength  in  the 
trutli. —  W/n.  ElUs^  Cork,  Ireland,  1G94. 


Tenth  Month  12.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  285 


"And  they  believed  the  Scriptures,  and  the  word  which  Jesns  had  said."— 
John  ii.  22. 

ONE  of  the  very  interesting  considerations  which 
are  presented  to  an  inquirer  in  perusing  the  vol- 
ume of  Scripture,  consists  in  the  variations  in  its  mo- 
rality. There  are  three  distinctly  defined  periods  in 
which  the  moral  government  and  laws  of  the  Deity  as- 
sume, in  some  respects,  a  different  character.  In  the 
first,  without  any  system  of  external  instruction,  He 
communicated  His  will  to  some  of  our  race,  cither  im- 
mediate or  through  a  superhuman  messenger.  In  the 
second.  He  promulgated  through  Moses  a  distinct  and 
extended  code  of  laws,  addressed  peculiarly  to  a  select 
people.  In  the  third,  Jesus  Christ  and  His  commissioned 
ministers  delivered  precepts,  of  which  the  general  char- 
acter was  that  of  greater  purity  or  perfection,  and  of 
which  the  obligation  was  universal  upon  mankind. 

That  the  records  of  all  these  dispensations  containing 
declarations  of  the  will  of  God,  is  certain  ;  that  their 
moral  requisitions  are  not  always  coincident,  is  also  cer- 
tain ;  and  thence  the  conclusion  becomes  inevitable, 
that  to  us  one  is  of  primary  authority  ;  that  when  all  do 
not  coincide,  one  is  paramount  to  the  other.  That  a 
coincidence  does  not  always  exist,  may  easily  be  shown. 
It  is  manifest,  not  only  by  comparison  of  precepts  and  of 
the  general  tenor  of  the  respective  records,  but  from 
the  express  declarations  of  Christianity  itself.  *  *  * 
— Jonathan  Dymond,  London,  1842. 


286  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Tenth  Month  la 


•'  He  hath  hedged  me  about,  that  I  cannot  get  out :  he  hath  made  my  chain 
heavj'." — Lam.  iii.  7. 

DO  not  think  that  thou  art  either  forgotten  of  God 
or  of  thy  friends,  for  thou  art  near  to  my  life ; 
Oh  !  that  we  may  so  steer  through  this  vale  of  tears,  that 
when  time  here  shall  be  over,  we  may  meet  in  that  mansion 
of  glory  that  is  prepared  for  the  righteous  ;  for  many  are 
their  exercises  and  baptisms ;  they  are  at  times  even  like 
the  lone  sparrow  on  the  housetop,  or  the  quail  in  the 
stubble-field.  Here  they  are  pursued  by  the  enemy  of 
souls,  so  I  have  been  ready  to  say :  How  can  I  go  any 
further  ?  and  have  said  with  David :  My  way  is  enclosed 
with  hewn  stones,  that  I  cannot  get  out.  O  let  us  trust 
in  him  who  multiplied  the  widow's  oil  and  the  little  meal 
in  the  barrel.  This  hath  done  me  good,  when  I  have 
i-ightly  considered  it ;  for  it  was  a  time  of  favor  when 
the  prophet  came  to  her,  and  bade  her  first  make  him  a 
cake,  and  then  one  for  herself,  she  thought  of  eating  it 
and  dying.  I  would  not  have  thee  discouraged,  though 
it  may  be  a  slow  time  with  thee ;  and  that  little  will  keep 
alive,  until  the  pure  rain  be  distilled  again.  So  in  that 
pure  love  that  I  feel  to  flow  to  thee  I  bid  thee  farewell — 
Alice  Routh,^  Hawes,  England,  1658. 

Lord  1  we  know  that  Thou  art  near  us, 
Though  Thou  seem'st  to  hide  Thy  face; 

And  are  sure  that  Thou  dost  hear  ue, 
Though  no  answer  we  embrace. 

Not  one  blessing  shall  miscarry ; 
Not  one  blessing  come  to  late ; 
Though  the  vision  long  may  tarry, 
Give  us  patience,  Lord,  to  wait. 

"  A  Litae  WhUe. " 


Tkntu  Month  14.]  DAILY   READINGS.  287 

"  Ye  shall  not  therefore  oppress  one  another  ;  but  thou  shalt  fear  thy  God  : 
for  I  am  the  Lord  your  God."— Lev.  xxv.  17. 


TO  James  Sharke,  archbishop  of  St.  Andrews,  (so 
called) ; — My  being  personally  unknown  to  thee, 
hath  hindered  me  to  give  way  to  that  pressure  of  mind, 
whereby  I  have  felt  myself  oftentimes  moved  to  write 
to  thee ;  but  since  there  is  an  Address  intended  to  be 
presented  to  the  Council,  at  the  first  sitting,  in  behalf  of 
me  and  my  friends,  I  could  no  longer  forbear  upon  this 
occasion  to  signify  unto  thee  what  hath  been  upon  my 
mind  for  some  time  towards  thee.  The  address  itself  will 
inform  thee  how  we  have  been  upwards  of  a  year  impris- 
oned, and  the  goods  of  many  poor  people  miserably 
spoiled,  of  which  thou  art  said  to  be  the  chief  and  prin. 
cipal  author ;  and  that  the  attempting  to  persecute  us, 
as  well  as  the  prosecution  of  it,  doth  proceed  from  thy 
influence,  as  being  done  either  at  thy  express  desire,  or 
by  some  others,  in  hopes  thereby  to  gratify  thee. 

How  far  thou  art  truly  guilty  thereof,  thine  own  con- 
science can  best  telL  Surely  such  practices  (if  thou  hast, 
either  directly  or  indirectly,  had  a  hand  in  them)  will 
neither  commend  thee  to  God  nor  good  men.  I  presume 
thou  lookest  upon  it  as  thy  chief  honors,  to  be  reputed  a 
Christian  bishop,  deriving  thy  authority  from  Christ  and 
his  Apostles,  but  they  never  gave  warrant  for  any  such 
doings,  being  preachers  and  practicers  of  patience  and  suf- 
fering, but  never  of  persecuting,  or  causing  to  rob  any  of 
their  goods  or  liberties,  for  their  conscience  sake. — Moh' 
ert  Barclay. 


288  DAILY    READINGS 


[Tenth  Month  15, 


'  But  watch  thou  in  aM  things." — ^2  Tim.  iv.  5. 


COULD  ye  not  watch  with  me  one  hour ?  When  as- 
sembled for  the  worship  of  God,  or  retired  to 
meditate  and  wait  upon  him,  does  not  this  language  of 
gentle  reproof  sometimes  assail  our  minds  ?  We  find  how 
difficult  it  is  to  keep  them  fixed  on  their  proj^er  object, 
and  prevent  them  from  sti-aggling  to  various  other  things, 
and  in  this  state  find  some  comfort  from  the  consideration 
of  the  gracious  apology  that  our  blessed  Saviour  mercifully 
made  for  his  disciples.  "  The  spirit  indeed  is  willing,  but 
the  flesh  is  weak."  Perhaps  there  is  scarcely  anything 
more  difficult  than  to  maintain  this  watch. 

We  could  comply  with  forms  of  worship ;  we  could 
read  or  pray,  or  adopt  anything  that  called  for  activity 
of  body  or  mind,  better  than  keep  a  silent  watch.  Our 
faculties  are  disposed  to  slumber,  and  though  our  Sa- 
viour may  be  withdrawn  from  us,  but  as  at  the  distance  of 
a  stone's  cast,  drowsiness  overpowers  us.  But  though 
we  are  sensible  of,  and  regret  the  weakness  of  our  na- 
ture, yet  it  should  not  tempt  us  to  give  up  the  struggle. 
We  sometimes  toil  long  and  catch  nothing,  and  we  may 
sometimes  wait  long  without  being  favored  to  feel  the 
presence  of  the  Master ;  but  we  may  rest  assured  it  will 
not  be  in  vain.  He  knows  how  frail  we  are  ;  he  remem- 
bers that  we  are  but  dust ;  His  eyes  are  continually  over 
us  ;  he  marks  all  our  endeavors,  and  whilst  we  strive  to 
do  our  best,  will  mercifully  assist  and  strengthen  us  not 
only  to  watch  against  every  intruder,  but  also  to  nm  the 
race  that  is  set  before  us. — Margaret  Woods^  1818. 


Tenth  Month  16.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  289 


"And  when  he  hideth  himself,  who  then  can  behold  him."— Job  xxxiv.  29. 

THE  listlessness,  amounting  almost  to  lukewarmness, 
is  felt,  I  believe,  at  times  by  every  professor  of  faith 
in  Christ,  however  sincerely  desirous  to  be  his  disciple  ; 
but  may  we  not  hope  we  shall  in  the  Lord's  time  expe- 
rience deliverance  from  it,  and  does  not  the  sorrow  it 
occasions  excite  our  prayers  at  the  same  time  that  it  proves 
we  are  not  left  in  a  state  of  torpid  insensibility?  How 
often  have  we  desired  to  suffer  pain  rather  than  to  become 
insensible  ?  "  While  there  is  life  there  is  hope ;"  and  how- 
ever sincerely  or  justly  we  may  disclaim  the  least  shadow 
of  merit,  are  we  not  conscious  that  ours  is  not  the  hope 
of  the  hypocrite,  and  may  we  not  confide  in  His  promise 
who  has  said,  "  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee  ?" 
I  was  glad  to  find  it  was  thy  practice  to  begin  the  day 
with  religious  retirement,  and  reading  a  portion  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures.  The  regular  and  frequent  recurrence 
of  any  practice  is  too  liable  to  reduce  it  to  form ;  but 
thoughtless  at  some  times,  at  others  we  experience  a  re- 
vival, and  to  consider  the  promises  and  exhortations 
which  we  read  in  the  Scriptures,  the  New  Testament 
especially,  as  addressed  to  us  immediately  and  individ- 
ually, will  increase  their  interest  by  authorizing  us  to 
appreciate  the  abundant  fund  of  consolation  and  encour- 
agement contained  in  the  gospels  and  epistles. — Richard 
Reynolds  1810. 

Qoodness,  uoc  greatness,  does  the  mind  improre. 


290  DAILY    READINGS.  [Tenth  Month  17. 

"And  thou  shalt  remember  all  the  way  which  the  Lord  thy  God  led  thee  in  the 
wilderness  to  humble  thee,  and  prove  thee."— Deuteronomy  viii.  2. 

FOR  in  this  wilderness-state  we  have  no  food,  no 
water,  viz.,  no  right  refreshment,  but  what  our 
Leader  provides  and  administers  to  us.  In  this  state  we 
can  neither  pray  nor  do  any  religious  act  without  the 
direction  of  our  Leader;  so  that  we  find  the  case  is  much 
altered  with  us  to  what  it  was  in  time  past,  for  then  we 
could  pray,  sing,  preach  and  perform  other  religious  duties 
in  our  own  time,  feeding  and  satisfying  ourselves  there- 
with ;  but  now  we  are  brought  into  the  wilderness,  where 
there  is  neither  plowing  nor  sowing.  We  cannot  now 
help  ourselves  by  our  own  contrivance,  and  working  in 
our  own  wills,  but  there  we  must  live  a  life  of  faith,  wholly 
depending  on  Him  that  will  (if  we  faint  not)  bring  us 
through  to  the  heavenly  Canaan.  Thus  we  shall  come 
in  the  Lord's  lime  to  experience  the  substance  of  those 
types  and  figures,  under  the  legal  dispensation,  to  be 
substantially  fulfilled  in  our  own  minds  by  the  operation 
of  the  spirit  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  substance  and 
foundation  of  all  true  religion  and  ministry,  that  is  really 
profitable  to  the  hearers. — Samuel  JBownas. 

Let  us  choose,  therefore,  to  commune  where  there  is  the  warmest  sense  of 
religion ;  where  devotion  exceeds  formality,  and  practice  most  corresponds 
with  profession  ;  and  where  is  as  much  charity  as  zeal.— Wm.  Penn. 


Tenth  Month  18.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  291 


"■  But  know  that  the  Lord  hath  set  apart  him  that  is  godly  for  himself.    The 
Lord  will  hear  wheu  I  call  unto  him."— Psalm  iv.  3. 

MY  own  will  and  desires  wei-e  now  very  much  bro- 
ken, and  my  heart  was,  with  much  earnestness, 
turned  to  the  Lord,  to  whom  I  alone  looked  for  help  in  the 
dangei-s  before  me,  I  had  a  prospect  of  the  English 
along  the  coast,  for  upwards  of  nine  hundred  miles,  where 
1  traveled ;  and  their  favorable  situation  and  difficulties, 
attending  the  natives  as  well  as  the  negroes  in  many 
places,  were  open  before  me.  A  weighty  and  heavenly 
care  came  over  my  mind,  and  love  filled  my  heart  toward 
all  mankind^  in  which  I  felt  a  strong  engagement  that 
we  might  be  obedient  to  the  Lord,  while,  in  tender  mercy, 
he  is  yet  calling  to  us ;  and  that  we  might  so  attend  to 
pure  universal  righteousness,  as  to  give  no  just  cause  of 
offense  to  the  Gentiles,  who  do  not  profess  Christianity 
whether  they  be  the  blacks  from  Africa,  or  the  native  in- 
habitants of  this  continent.  Here  I  was  led  into  a  close 
and  laborious  inquiry,  whether  I,  as  an  individual,  kept 
clear  from  all  things  which  tended  to  stir  up,  or  were 
connected  with  wars,  either  in  this  land  or  Africa ;  my 
heart  was  deeply  concerned,  that  in  future  I  might  in 
all  things  keep  steadily  to  the  pure  truth,  and  live  and 
walk  in  the  plainness  and  simplicity  of  a  follower  of  Christ. 
Ill  this  lonely  journey,  I.  did  gi-eatly  bewail  the  spi-eading 
of  a  wi'ong  spirit. — John  Woolman. 

Good  offices  are  the  cement  of  eocietj. 


292  DAILY   READINGS.  [Tenth  Month  19, 

"  Day  unto  day  uttereth  speech,  and  night  unto  night  shewctli  knowledge." 
—Psahn  xix.  2. 

OWHAT  shall  I  say,  or  what  words  shall  I  make 
use  of,  to  declare  fully  the  Lord's  goodness  and 
compassion  to  this  poor  frame  of  mine  !  Day  "by  Day, 
yes,  all  the  day  long,  is  his  hand  renewcdly  and  refresh- 
ingly turned  upon  me,  for  my  present  and  everlasting 
welfare.  Even  Avhen  the  power  of  the  wicked  one  came 
over  my  poor  soul,  when  all  desires  and  endeavors  after 
good — after  "  those  things  that  make  for  peace,"  were  to 
appearance  utterly  extinguished,  even  in  that  dismal 
hour,  which  was  still  more  darkened  by  the  insensibility 
which  benumbed  me,  the  gloriously  great  and  gracious 
Giver  of  ail  good  was  pleased  to  pity  me,  and  to  revive 
the  latent  spark  within  me,  making  it  grow  gradually 
brighter.  Surely,  lie  is  working  a  good  work  within 
me;  his  hand,  his  holy  hand  is  upon  me;  and  if  not 
through  my  own  default,  he  will  by  no  means  draw  back 
or  desist,  until  he  has  made  me  all  that  he  would  have 
me  to  be.  "What  a  multitude  of  obstructions  as  well  as 
snares  and  difficulties  encompass  me :  how  shall  I  put 
one  foot  forward  in  the  right  way,  except  the  Lord  him- 
seK  condescend  continually  to  "  direct  my  steps."  O !  then, 
what  a  constant  need  there  is  of  acknowledging  Him  in  all 
my  ways  ;  that  so  this  promise  of  safe  and  sure  direction 
may  happily  be  fulfilled  in  my  experience  ; — "  The  Lord, 
he  it  is  that  doth  go  before  thee ;  he  will  be  with  thee ; 
he  will  not  fail  thee,  neither  forsake  thee." — John 
Barclay,  1816. 


Tenth  Month  20.]  DAILY   EEADINrGS,  293 

"  And  eaid  unto  liiin,  run.  ppeak  to  this  young  man,  saying,  Jemsalcm  shall 
be  inhabited  as  \o\\  iis  without  walls  for  the  multitude  of  men  and  cattle  therein. 
For  I,  paith  the  Lord,  will  be  unto  her  a  wall  of  fire  round  about,  and  will  be  the 
glory  in  the  midst  of  her."— Zechariah  ii.  4,  5. 

AS  a  fellow  Christian  traveler  towards  the  celestial 
city,  I  earnestly  intrcat  thee,  in  the  love  of  the 
gospel,  never  to  consider  thyself  on  a  level,  or  at  liberty 
to  act  in  full  scope,  with  the  man  of  business,  who  thinks 
himself  created  to  pursue  the  things  of  time,  without  being 
responsible  to  his  Creator  for  endeavoring  to  reach  a  sit- 
uation in  life  which  would  enable  him  to  prepare  for  eter- 
nity. Thou  wilt  not  be  long  at  a  loss  what  to  do,  if  thou 
dost  not  overlook  the  secret  motive  in  thy  own  breast. 
«  «  4<  %  :!:  j^^^  j£  ^hou  attcudcst  to  that  direct- 
ing Hand  which  has  hitherto  preserved  thee  as  a  monu- 
ment of  thy  Heavenly  Father's  mercy,  thy  victory  is 
already  sure,  though  thou  mayst  not  know  it.  It  is  not  for 
the  best,  consequently  not  permitted,  that  we  should  al- 
ways see  our  way.  Were  this  the  case  there  would  be  no 
exercise  of  faith.  The  servant  of  the  prophet  was  blind  as 
to  the  power  which  preserved  them,  when  he  saw  a  host  of 
the  enemy  encamped  against  them :  he  cried  out,  "  Alas, 
my  master,  how  shall  we  do ! "  But  his  master  answered, 
"  Fear  not ;  for  they  that  be  with  us  are  more  than  they 
that  be  with  them ; "  and  the  pro^Dhet  prayed  that  the 
young  man  might  be  made  to  see.  And  when  his  eyes 
were  opened,  what  did  he  see  ?  Why,  he  saw  the  moun- 
tain full  of  horses  and  chariots  of  fire  round  about  them. 
— Jb/ui  Yeardley^  aged  34. 


294  DAILY   KEADINGS. 


[Tenth  Month  21. 


"  Yc  are  the  salt  of  the  earth  :  but  if  the  salt  have  lost  his  savor,  wherewith 
shall  it  be  salted  ?  it  is  thenceforth  good  for  nothing,  but  to  cast  out,  and  to  be 
trodden  under  foot  of  men."— Matt.  v.  13. 

HERE  Christ  showeth  tliat  his  followers  must  season 
the  earth,  by  living  a  savory  life,  and  by  walk- 
ing according  to  his  doctrine,  which  is  wonderfully  set 
forth  in  this  excellent  serraon.  If  we  live  up  to  those 
holy  rules,  we  shall  be  serviceable  in  our  generation,  and 
our  lives  will  teach  the  people  as  well  as  our  words,  and 
better  too,  by  how  much  example  is  better  than  precept. 
And  indeed  Christians  ought  to  be  careful  in  both ;  in 
life  to  live  holy,  and  in  words  to  be  sparing,  observing 
to  "  let  their  words  be  few  and  savory,  and  seasoned 
with  grace,  that  they  may  minister  grace  to  the  hearers." 
Thus  should  we  season  the  world,  and  salt  it  with  the  salt 
of  the  covenant ;  but  if  we  lose  this  savor  of  grace, 
and  take  a  liberty  which  Christ  and  his  truth  do  not 
allow  of,  speaking  things  at  random,  which  are  not  con- 
venient or  edifying,  but  altogether  unsavory ;  then,  ac- 
cording to  our  Master  who  is  in  heaven,  Ave  are  good  for 
nothing  but  to  be  cast  out,  ^.  e.,  out  of  the  church,  to  be 
trampled  upon  by  men,  as  in  truth  we  deserve ;  not  that 
our  bodies  are  to  be  killed  or  destroyed ;  for  the  door  of 
the  church  is  always  open  to  receive  true  penitents.  But 
for  this  end  and  good  purpose  we  are  cliastened  of  the 
Lord,  that  the  soul  may  be  saved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord. 
And  those  w4io  know  godly  sorrow  for  their  sins,  and 
turn  from  the  evil  of  their  ways  by  amendment  of  life, 
those  Christ  forgives. — lliomas  Chalkly. 


Tknth  Month  22.]  DAIT.Y    READINGS.  295 

"  The  words  of  the  wise  are  as  goads,  and  as  nails  fastened  by  the  masters  of 
assemblies,  which  are  given  from  one  shepherd."— Eccl.  xii.  11. 

THEN,  deeply  did  I  lament  that  any  of  my  precious 
time  had  been  spent  in  perusing  publications  of 
an  unprofitable  tendency,  such  as  plays  and  romances  ; 
and  I  was  made  sensible  that  nothing  I  had  ever  been  in 
the  practice  of,  had  so  much  alienated  my  mind  from  the 
love  and  fear  of  God,  or  led  me  so  far  from  the  simplicity 
of  the  pure  truth,  as  books  of  this  kind.  How  often  did 
I  wish  I  could  warn  the  whole  world  of  their  pernicious 
effects,  and  especially  the  young  people  in  our  own  socie- 
ty. Penning  this  remark  brings  to  my  remembrance 
how,  in  an  instant,  T  was  entirely  weaned  from  ever  desir- 
ing again  to  look  into  a  book  of  this  description.  It  was 
by  a  few  words  expressed  by  a  beloved  friend,  when  I 
was  about  reading  to  her  one  night  after  we  got  up 
stairs,  and  were  retiring  to  bed.  She  queried  with  me, 
and  I  believe  under  divine  influence,  "  Dear  Mary,  is 
such  a  subject  likely  to  profit  us  upon  our  pillows?" 
The  question  so  forcibly  struck  my  mind,  that  I  very 
willingly  laid  down  the  volume,  and  to  the  best  of  my  re- 
membrance, I  never  more  read  a  page  in  that,  or  any- 
thing of  the  like  kind.  I  have  often  thought  those  few 
words  were  indeed  "  like  apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of 
silver,"  Prov.  xxv.  11. — 3Iary  Alexander,  1788. 

Still  drive  the  baneful  visitants  away, 
Still  bid  rebellious  sin  withhold  the  sway, 

Till  my  whole  heart  to  its  Redeemer  given, 
Thoughts  of  the  world  ?hall  yield  to  hopes  in  heaven, 

—A.  Opib. 


296  DAILY  READINGS.  [Tenth  Month  23. 

"  For  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid,which  is  Jesus 
Chri!>t."— 1  Cor.  ill.  11. 

THAT  there  are  some  expressions  to  be  found  in  the 
writings  of  our  early  Friends,  the  ambiguity  of 
which  has  furnished  an  opportunity  to  prejudiced  persons 
greatly  to  misrepresent  their  meaning,  will  not  be  denied 
l)y  any  one  who  is  conversant  with  their  works.  It  is 
equally  true,  that  there  have  seldom  been  wanting 
either  envious  opposers  or  pretended  admirers,  who  have 
been  prompt  to  take  every  advantage  which  ina(5curacy 
or  inadvertance  of  expression  has  thus  furnished.  And 
too  often  the  ignorance  of  our  own  members  on  these  sub- 
jects has  not  only  disqualified  them  for  vindicating  the 
Cliristian  faith  of  their  forefathers,  but  rendered  them 
the  dupes  of  such  designing  and  artful  men.  Hence  it  has 
happened,  that,  through  the  prejudice  and  ill-will  of  some, 
and  from  the  want  of  better  information  in  others,  the 
genuine  doctrines  of  true  Quakerism  have  been  perverted, 
and  the  Society  most  unjustly  misrepresented  as  re- 
jecting the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  gospel  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

Of  tliis  illiberal  and  ungenerous  treatment,  both  the 
ancient  and  modern  Friends  have  much  cause  to  com- 
l)hun.  It  has  been  again  and  again  practised  towards 
them,  from  the  infancy  of  the  Society  to  the  present 
l»enod. —  Thomas  Evans,  1828. 

Believe  nothing  against  another,  but  upon  good  authority. 


Tknth  Month  24.]  DAILY   KEADINGS.  297 

"  And  tliat  tliey  use  this  world,  as  not  abusing  it :  for  the  fashion  of  this  world 
paseeth  away." — 1  Cor.  vii.  31. 

ALAS  for  the  trials  and  temptations  of  this  busy, 
changing,  proud,  perishing  world !  and  alas  for 
those  obliged  to  pass  through  its  furnace ! — called  to  use, 
yet  commanded  not  to  abuse  it ;  to  be  "  not  slothful  in  busi- 
ness," "  yet  fervent  in  spirit ; "  to  be  a  citizen  in  its  high 
places,  yet  maintain  the  failings  of  a  pilgrim  and  a  stran- 
ger; to  mingle  in  the  pageant,  without  being  conformed 
to  its  fashions,  or  governed  by  its  motives,  or  anxious  for 
its  honors.  Alas  for  such  a  one,  were  there  no  Divine 
Spirit  to  strengthen  him  with  might  in  his  inner  man ;  no 
compassionate  Father  to  relieve  his  doubts,  and  fears,  and 
sinkings  of  heart.     *     *     * 

If  I  knew  a  friend  so  circumstanced,  so  peculiarly  ex- 
posed to  the  snares  and  strife  of  the  world's  influence ;  and 
if  I  felt  for  that  friend  the  truest  regard,  joined  to  the  most 
anxious  interests  ;  and  if  I  knew,  too,  that  circumstances 
shielded  me  from  much  to  which  he  was  exposed,  how 
sacred  a  duty  would  it  seem,  to  bring  before  him  glimpses 
of  those  truths  which  counteracting  causes  so  tended  to 
shut  out,  to  venture  to  press  home  the  absolute,  the 
paramount  importance  of  seeking  first  the  Kingdom  of 
God,  his  righteousness,  his  rewards,  his  pleasures,  and  his 
service.  Oh  !  how  sacred  a  duty  would  it  appear,  to 
think  of  that  individual  in  the  retired  hours  of  medita- 
tion, to  garrison  him  with  desires  for  his  heavenly  in- 
terests, prayers  for  his  spiritual  welfare. — Maria  I. 
Jewshury. 


298  DAILY   EEADINGS. 


[Tenth  Moitth  25, 


"  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go :  and  when  he  is  old,  he  will  not 
depart  from  it." — Prov.  xcii.  6. 

CHILDREN  should  be  deeply  impressed  with  the 
belief,  that  the  first  and  great  object  of  their  edu- 
cation is  to  follow  Christ,  and,  indeed,  to  be  true  Chris- 
tians ;  and  those  things  on  which  we,  the  Society  of  Friends, 
differ  from  the  world  in  general,  should  not,  I  tliink,  be 
impressed  on  them,  by  only  saying,  as  is  often  done, 
''^because  Friends  do  it;''''  but  singly  and  simply  as 
things  that  the  Christian  life  appears  to  us  to  require, 
and  that  therefore  they  must  be  done. 

They  should  also  early  be  taught  that  all  have  not 
seen  exactly  the  same ;  but  that  there  are  many,  equally 
belonging  to  the  Church  of  Christ,  who  may  in  other  re- 
spects be  as  much  stricter  than  ourscilves,  as  we  are  than 
they  in  tJiese  matters.  But  this  does  not  at  all  lessen  the 
necessity  of  our  employing  a  simple  mode  of  expressing 
ourselves,  who  are  permitted  to  see  the  consistency  and 
propriety  of  it.  There  is  no  set  of  people  I  feel  so  much 
about,  as  servants ;  I  do  not  think  they  have  generally 
justice  done  them ;  they  are  too  much  considered  as  an- 
other race  of  beings,  and  we  are  apt  to  forget  that  the 
holy  injunction  holds  good  with  them,  "Do  as  thou 
wouldest  be  done  unto  ;  "  and  I  believe  that,  in  striving  to 
d  )  so,  we  shall  not  take  them  out  of  their  station  in  life; 
l.tit  endeavor  to  render  them  contented  and  happy  in  it. 
— Elisabeth  Gurney  Fry^  aged  29. 

Let  nothing  be  lost,  said  our  Saviour ;  but  that  is  lost  which  is  misused. 


Tenth  Month  26.] 


DAILY   HEADINGS.  299 


"  He  shall  cover  thee  with  his  feathers,  and  under  his  wings  shall  thou  tniBt : 
his  truth  shall  be  thy  shield  and  buckler."— Psalm  xci.  4. 

I  AM  not  aware  that  the  general  state  of  things  in 
our  religious  society  has  any  especial  effect  on  my 
mind.  I  have  always  been  of  the  opinion  that  we  have 
nothing  to  do  Avith  the  public  but  by  commission,  and, 
when  that  commission  is  over,  we  may  leave  others,  and 
should  leave  others,  to  their  own  Judge  and  Master. 
Still,  I  sometimes  think  that  before  commission  there  is  a 
preparation  for  it,  and  if  all  were  smoother  with  us  than  it 
now  assuredly  is,  there  might  be  a  more  general  and  in- 
dividual feeling  of  rejoicing ;  but  I  think  we  must  be  care- 
ful not  to  give  the  character  of  prophetic  sorrow  to  every 
casual  feeling  of  mental  depression  that  we  cannot  well 
account  for.     *     *     * 

If  faithfulness  be  but  the  girdle  of  her  loins,  truth  will  be 
seen  to  be  her  buckler;  but  if  pride — spiritual  pride — 
creeps  in  for  ourselves  or  our  profession,  no  strength  is 
given  to  wear  that  buckler,  which  can  alone  be  worn  in 
humility.  It  is  a  day  when  deej)  heart-scarchings  ought 
to  be  ours,  without  giving  way  to  unprofitable  discourage- 
ments, either  for  ourselves,  our  friends,  or  tlie  church. 
*  *  *  All  we  have  to  do,  or  can  do,  at  this  time  or 
at  any  time,  is  to  seek  to  mind  our  own  business,  which  I 
believe  is  in  great  mercy  yet  made  known  to  the  simple- 
minded,  and  in  doing  which  they  are  often  permitted  to 
know  sweet  unity  of  spirit  with  those  wlio  are  in  the  one 
faith,  dwell  in  the  one  Lord,  and  submit  to  be  baptised 
by  the  one  baptism. — Hannah  C.  BacJchouse.^  1838. 


300  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Tenth  Month  27. 


*' And  thine  ears  fihall  hear  a  word  behind  thee,  saying,  This  is  the  way,  walk  ye 
in  it,  when  ye  turn  to  the  right  hand  and  when  ye  turn  to  the  left."— It^a.  xxx.  21. 

nVT"OW,  my  dearly  beloved  ones,  abide  and  walk  under 
1  ^  this  all-effective  government  of  a  righteous  Saviour. 
Let  every  desire  that  would  lead  to  transgression  be 
checked ;  every  rebel  thought  subdued ;  undue  conformity 
to  the  world  and  its  vanity  surrendered ;  and  be  ye  aU 
that  the  Lord  would  have  you  to  be.  Imitate  the  ex- 
ample of  Moses,  and  make  all  things  according  to  the 
pattern  showed  to  you  in  the  mount,  even  to  the  least  pin 
in  the  tabernacle.  This  the  true  secret  of  Christian  j^er- 
fection ;  a  standard  hard  to  reach,  but  always  to  be  fol- 
lowed. *  *  *  J  think  it  is  under  no  sectarian  feelings 
that  I  find  myself  penning  that  word  Quakerism.  I  mean 
simply  sincere,  living  Quakerism,  I  have  refei-ence  chiefly 
to  the  well-known  views  always  entertained  by  our  Soci- 
ety, respecting  the  supreme,  immediate,  and  perceptible 
government  of  Jesus  Christ  over  the  Church,  by  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Holy  Spirit.  *  *  *  The  distinct  whis- 
per of  some  private  counsellor  is  ^perceptible  to  the  ear ; 
but  not  more  so  than  the  still  small  voice  of  the  Spirit  of 
Christ. — J.  J.  Gurney, 


Oh  I  for  a  finely  tnn^d  ear, 

The  ShepherdV  voice  to  hear  and  know, 
Both  wlien  it  speaks  distinct  and  clear, 

And  when  it  whispers  soft  and  low. 

—Jane  Crewdsow. 


Tenth  Month  28.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  301 


"  Now  therefore  3'e  are  no  more  s'rangers  and  foreigners,  but  fellow-citizens 
with  the  saints,  and  of  the  household  of  God."— Eph.  ii.  19. 

/^  REAT  is  the  privilege  to  be  subjects  of  a  well-or- 
vIT"  dercd  eaithly  kingdom,  to  partake  of  its  benefits, 
and  to  enjoy  its  peace ;  but  incomparably  greater  is  the 
privilege  to  any,  in  whatever  outward  position,  humbly 
to  believe  that  they  are,  through  divine  grace,  subjects 
of  Christ's  spiritual  kingdom,  desiring  above  all  other 
things  to  act  in  obedience  to  his  laws,  and  to  share  his 
protection  and  favor.  The  world,  even  professors  of  re- 
ligion, may  frown  upon  such  and  despise  them ;  it  may 
deny  them  the  title  of  Christians,  and  render  their  endeav- 
ors to  yield  allegiance  to  Christ  a  cause  of  persecution 
and  temporal  distress ;  but  if  he  speak  pardon  and  peace 
to  their  souls,  if  they  are  permitted  to  feel  the  sustain- 
ing power  of  the  love  of  God,  bearing  witness  with  their 
spirits  that  they  are  his  subjects,  they  will  be  able  to  re- 
joice in  the  conviction,  that,  all  unworthy  as  they  are, 
Christ  is  truly  their  Peace-maker  and  King,  and  that  of 
his  kingdom  and  peace  there  shall  be  no  end. 

Even  if  his  heart  is  not  right  in  the  sight  of  God,  man  may 
possibly  be  an  irreproachable  subject  of  human  govern- 
ment ;  but  if  he  is  a  faithful  subject  of  Christ,  he  will  not 
fail  to  be  a  good  citizen,  an  exemplary  member  of  the  secu- 
lar community.  Civil  government  regards  him  in  his 
social  external  relations.  If  civil  government  attempt  to 
consider,  to  influence,  and  to  regulate  the  latter,  it  takes 
upon  itself  a  charge  for  which  it  was  not  intended,  and 
to  which  it  is  unequal. — John  Allen,  England,  1853. 


302  DAILY  K]':adi>;gs. 


[Tenth  Month  2t» 


"My  sou,  attend  unto  my  wisdom,  and  bow  thine  ear  to  my  underr^tanding; 
That  thou  mayest  regard  discretion,  and  that  thy  lips  may  keep  knowledge."— 
Prov.  V.  1,  i. 


T~)  ETlltEMEXT  of  mind  is  such  an  excellent  situation, 
JLi;  that  lean  but  recommend  it  to  the  youth.  May 
t  hey  often  retii'e  alone,  and  rather  choose  it  to  be  so,  than  in 
such  company  as  may  have  a  tendency  to  hurt.  Young 
people  who  are  inexperienced  are  often  drawn  into  things 
highly  improper,  if  not  offensive,  in  the  sight  of  heaven, 
for  want  of  keeping  on  their  guard  in  this  very  spot ; 
whereas  if  they  did  but  love  silence,  and  to  hearken  to 
the  monitions  of  Divine  grace  in  their  own  hearts,  they 
would  grow  up  in  good  liking,  yea,  in  favor  with  God 
and  man.     *     *     * 

I  have  felt  a  secret  hope  that  there  is  a  reviving,  and 
that  the  Most  High  will  yet  show  himself  strong  in  behalf 
of  the  sorroM'ful  few  who  have  indeed  hung  their  harps 
as  upon  the  willows.  There  is  a  precious  visitation  of 
divine  love  extended  to  the  youth,  and  many  of  tliem  are 
under  the  humbling,  forming  hand,  who,  if  they  abide 
patiently  under  the  holy  fan  and  fire,  will  be  made  in 
the  Lord's  time  useful  and  honorable  in  their  generation, 
for  the  rebuilding  of  the  walls  of  Zion,  that  are  in  many 
])laces  so  sadly  broken  down,  and  repairing  the  breaches 
that  are  so  conspicuous. 

Oh  !  what  an  unspeakable  privilege  thei;  enjoy  whose 
foundation  is  on  that  Rock  against  which  "  the  gates  of 
hell  cannot  prevail." — Rebecca  Jones^  1785, 


Tenth  Moxth  30.]  DAILY    READINGS.  303 

"  So  are  the  paths  of  all  that  forget  God ;  and  the  hypocrite's  hope  shall  per- 
ish."—.Job  viii.  13. 

COME !  try  your  faith — all  you  professors  of  godli- 
ness, of  God,  and  of  Christ,  who  say  God  is  your 
Father,  and  Christ  your  Redeemer,  and  that  you  believe 
ill  God,  and  are  saved  through  faith  in  Christ.  Come  ! 
search  the  ground  and  bottom  of  your  faith,  upon  what 
it  is  built;  for  the  faith  and  hope  of  the  hypocrite  perish, 
which  stand  in  words,  and  on  an  unsteadfast  foundation. 
You  say  you  are  saved  by  the  blood  of  Christ,  and  l)y 
His.  stripes  you  are  healed,  and  so  would  make  Him 
the  ground  of  your  faith.  But  from  wiiat  are  you  saved  V 
and  of  what  ai^e  you  healed?  Search  within,  and  see. 
Christ  came  to  save  and  redeem  sinners  from  their  sins 
and  to  heal  them  of  its  wound,  to  bruise  the  serpent's 
head,  to  bind  the  strong  man  and  cast  him  out  of  his 
house;  and  to  open  the  prison-doors, to  set  at  liberty  the 
imprisoned,  and  to  lead  captivity  captive;  to  cast  anti- 
christ out  of  the  temple  of  God,  who  sits  there  as  God,  and 
says  he  is  God.  And  Christ  came  to  rend  that  veil  of 
darkness,  to  open  the  eyes  of  the  blind,  and  to  unstop  the 
deaf  ears,  and  to  make  blind  those  that  can  see,  and  to 
make  deaf  those  that  can  hear ;  to  give  strength  to  the 
weak,  and  to  make  weak  those  that  are  strong  ;  to  feed 
the  hungry,  and  to  famish  that  which  is  fed ;  to  make  a 
separation  betwixt  the  precious  and  the  vile,  betwixt  tlie 
wheat  and  the  tares,  the  sh^^ep  and  the  goats ;  and  to 
purchase  to  man  that  which  man  has  lost. — James  Far^ 
nelL 


304:  DAILY    EEADIXGS. 


[Texth  Month  31 


"  Therefore  remove  sorrow  from  thy  flesh,  for  childhood  aud  youth  arc  vanity." 
— Eccl.  xi.  10. 

BUT  tliough  thus  inheriting  the  privileges  of  rural 
retirement,  and  the  simplicity  of  pastoral  life 
educated,  too,  in  the  principles  of  an  excellent  Christian 
profession,  yet  that  interesting  and  dangerous  portion 
of  my  life,  between  leaving  school  and  manhood,  was 
strongly  characterized  by  the  sins  and  follies  to  which 
youth  and  inexperience  are  so  peculiarly  liable ;  whilst 
its  succeeding  stages,  even  the  most  happy  and  favored 
of  them,  have,  in  my  own  view  at  least,  been  remarkable 
for  their  weakness,  unworthiness,  and  vicissitude,  so 
much  so,  that  throughout  the  whole  of  my  probationary 
course  there  have  been  certain  critical  and  eventful  pe- 
riods, wherein  my  sufferings  of  body  and  mind  have  been 
such  as  to  leave  me  but  just  in  possession  of  life  and 
sense.  Yet  on  this  solemn  retrospect,  I  find  notliing  to 
complain  of  but  fallen  self,  acted  upon  by  a  delusive 
world,  and  an  unwearied  sj^iritual  adversary.  I  would 
not  therefore  "  charge  God  foolishly,"  seeing  that  in  all, 
and  through  all.  His  kindness  and  forbearance  towards 
me  have  been  extended  in  a  manner  equally  unmerited 
and  incomprehensible  to  my  own  understanding;  and 
like  many  other  parts  of  His  government,  both  in  nature 
and  grace,  they  appeared  to  admit  of  no  other,  possible 
solution  than  is  to  be  found  in  the  scriptural  declaration  • 
the  ways  of  the  Lord,  are  higher  than  our  ways,  and 
His  thoughts  than  our  thoughts. — Jonathan  Hutchinson, 
1809. 


Eleventh  Month  L]         DAIT.Y  READINGS.  305 

"  Doth  not  wisdom  cry  ?  and  understanding  put  forth  her  voice  ?  tfnto  you  ; 
O  men,  I  call ;  and  my  voice  is  to  the  pons  of  men.*'— Prov.  viii,  1, 4. 

AS  many  words  of  our  own  prevent  our  hearing 
distinctly  the  outward  voice  of  others,  so  do  the 
cogitations  of  the  mind  prevent  our  distinguishing  tliose 
spiritual  motions,  and  hearing  that  still  small  voice  by 
which  our  individual  religious  duties  are  discovered  to 
us :  therefore  the  necessity  of  silence  in  both  cases.  As 
it  is  perfectly  consistent  with  every  divine  attribute,  that 
there  should  be,  so  I  verily  believe  there  is,  one  immediate 
spiritual  intercourse  between  the  soul  of  man  and  its  Crea- 
tor, by  which  communication  his  soul  is  introduced  into 
unity  Avith  its  Divine  source,  and  into  sympathy  with  its 
fellow-creatures — is  informed,  chastised,  or  comforted,  suf 
fers  or  reigns,  according  as  its  state  and  the  state  of  others 
may  require. 

It  seems  as  if  there  was  at  times  an  exercise  on  behalf 
of  others  produced  in  the  mind,  which,  like  the  wind  that 
blow^eth  when  and  where  it  listeth,  cometh  on  and  goeth  oil 
we  scarcely  know  how,  and  yet  the  sound  of  it  is  heard 
with  sufficient  clearness  to  warrant  our  moving  under  its 
influence  in  religious  endeavors  to  promote  the  glory  of 
our  Creator,  and  the  spiritual  good  of  mankind. — Jona- 
than Hutchinson,  1808. 


"  Wisdom  hath  buildcd  her  house,  she  hath  hewn  out  her  seven  pillars  ;  she 
hath  killed  her  beasts ;  she  hath  mingled  her  wine ;  f  he  hath  also  furnished  her 
table.  She  hath  sent  forth  her  maidens :  she  crieth  upon  the  highest  places  of 
the  city,  Whoso  is  simple,  let  him  turn  ia  hither;  as  for  him  that  wanteth  un- 
derstanding,  she  eaith  to  him,  Come,  eat  of  my  bread,  and  drink  of  the  wine 
which  I  have  mingled.'"— Prov.  ix.  1-5. 


306  DAILY   READINGS. 


[ELEyE>fTH  Month  2 


"  The  effectual  fervent  prayer  of  the  righteous  man  availeth  much."— James* 
V.  16. 

OTHOU  Lord  God  Almighty  !  in  the  conclusiou  of 
our  solemn  assemblies  we  reverently  crave  ability 
to  return  unto  Thee  our  humble  thanksgiving  for  Thine 
ci!)undant  mercy,  and  above  all  for  the  blessed  and  glori- 
ous liope  of  everlasting  life,  through  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Chi-ist.  And  in  deep  self-abasement  we  beseech 
Thee  to  forgive  all  our  iniquities,  and  to  blot  them  out 
for  ever  in  the  atoning  blood  of  the  Lamb  ;  and  that  our 
names  may  be  found  written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life, 
even  when  the  book  shall  be  opened,  and  when  all  the 
children  of  men  shall  be  judged  according  to  their  works. 
And  now,  glorious  Lord,  we  beseech  Thee  to  pour  forth 
of  Thine  OAvn  holy  and  eternal  Spirit  upon  this  assembly, 
that  all  may  be  brought  very  near  to  Thee,  our  Father 
and  our  God,  and  very  near  one  unto  another,  in  the  unity 
of  thy  Spirit,  and  in  the  love  of  the  everlasting  gospel ;  and 
grant,  we  humbly  pray  Thee,  that  Thine  own  pure  eternal 
truth,  in  its  simplicity  and  its  power,  may  rise  into  full 
dominion,  and  that  in  the  humiliation  of  every  heart  we 
may  confess  that  unto  Thee,  O  God  our  Father,  the  Crea 
tor  of  heaven  and  earth,  and  unto  Thy  well  beloved  Son, 
and  unto  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  Teacher  and  Sanctifier  of 
thy  children,  one  true,  living,  incomprehensible  God  ovei 
all,  belong  and  must  be  ascribed,  all  honor,  power,  domin- 
ion and  praise.  O,  the  glorious  oneness  of  Thee,  thou 
eternal  Jehovah  !  blessed  and  glorified  be  Thine  ever  ex- 
cellent name. — J.  J.  Gurney,  1838. 


Eleventh  Month  3.]  DAILY  READINGS,  307 

"  And  he  cried  unto  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  showed  him  a  tree,  which  when 
he  had  cast  into  the  waters,  the  waters  were  made  sweet :  there  he  made  for 
them  a  statute  and  an  ordinance,  and  there  he  proved  them,"— Exod.  xv.  25. 

IT  pleased  Him  to  lead  me  as  into  the  wilderness, 
and  to  give  me  a  sight  of  my  former  disobedience 
and  folly.  O  !  the  bitterness  and  distress  that  covered 
me  when  I  was  alone  or  in  meeting's.  I  experienced  but 
few  pleasant  draughts  of  his  love,  my  meat  was  gall  and 
wormwood,  and  my  drink  of  the  bitter  waters  of  Ma- 
rah.*  *  *  Oh  !  these  were  times  of  baptism  never  to  be 
forgotten  in  mutability.*  *  *  In  this  state  I  was  through 
adorable  mercy  released,  and  was  comforted  with  a  sight 
and  feeling  of  inexpressible  happiness  and  joy.  O,  the 
sweetness  I  then  felt,  in  being  favored  with  such  an  evi- 
dence of  the  goodness  and  mercy  of  God;  it  far  surpass- 
ed everything  I  had  ever  experienced,  and  was  such  that 
I  hope  to  bear  it  in  remembrance  as  long  as  I  have  my 
being  here.  Blessed  for  ever  be  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
though  he  sees  meet  for  our  refinement  to  try  us  even  to 
an  hair's  breadth,  yet  in  our  utmost  extremity,  his  all- 
powerful  arm  is  made  bare  for  our  deliverance,  if  we 
dwell  alone  and  keep  our  spiritual  ear  attentive  to  Him, 
who  is  the  unchangeable  High  Priest  of  his  people :  and 
with  whom  are  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowl- 
edge, who  knows  the  states  of  all  his  children,  and  when 
and  where  he  leads  them,  graciously  affords  ability  to  fol- 
low, to  the  praise  of  his  ever  adorable  name. —  Wrn.  Sa^ 
eery,  1781, 


SOS 


DAILY  EEADINGS.  [Eleventh  Month  4. 


"  I  will  Ptrenorthen  thee  ;  yea,  I  will  help  thee ;  yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with 
the  right  hand  of  my  righteousness.'" — Tsa.  xli.  10. 

I  KNOW  it  is  humiliating  to  be  the  object  of  scorn 
and  censure,  but  the  disciple  is  not  to  be  above 
his  Master,  nor  the  sei-\^ant  above  his  Lord.  I  believe  it 
is  right  that  this  thing  should  befall  thee,  that  thou  might 
become  more  vile  and  base  in  thy  own  sight !  With  all 
thy  low  times  and  thy  complaining  language,  and  the  pecu- 
liarities of  thy  trials  and  provings,  thou  art  a  favored 
man,  and  if  it  be  not  thy  own  fault,  I  believe  thou  wilt  be 
more  and  more  so.  Watch  and  be  sober.  Do  not  be 
carried  away  out  of  thy  awn  sphere,  by  the  vortex  of 
another.  Do  not  allow  thyself  liberty  according  to  the 
liberty  of  another.  Keep  to  thy  own  exercise,  wear  thy 
own  concern  till  the  right  time  for  casting  it  off.  If  thon 
bast  a  little  burden  of  a  word  to  drop  in  the  simplicity, 
look  not  at  the  bulk  of  it,  but  at  its  weight;  drop  it 
where  thou  think  it  best  so  to  do,  and  there  bind  any 
reflections  of  thy  own  about  it.  If  thou  hast  done  w^ell, 
thou  wilt  be  accepted  and  feel  the  acceptance  ;  if  other- 
wise, the  rod  and  reproof  in  thy  own  bosom  will  give 
wisdom  against  another  time,  and  thou  wilt  be  as  a  child 
left  to  himself,  which  bringeth  his  mother  (the  church)  to 
shame.  *  *  *  There  has  been  too  much  of  a  crying  out, 
help,  help,  among  the  laborei*s,  one  to  another,  instead 
of  waiting  in  a  sense  of  their  own  helplessness  for  the 
lielpofthe  Lord  Almighty. — Richard  Shackleton,  1781. 

Patience  is  a  virtue  everywhere. 


Elbventh  Month  5.]         DAILY   READINGS. 


309 


"  For  we  have  not  an  high-priest  which  cannot  be  touched  with  the  feeling  of 
our  infirmities."— Hebrews  iv.  15, 

HOW  infinite  is  the  condescension  of  that  precious 
Saviour  who  helpeth  our  infirmities,  and  is  touched 
with  a  feeling  of  them ;  aiding  the  mind  with  a  degree 
of  holy  confidence,  and'  after  all  its  apparent  exclusions, 
from  the  participation  of  divine  good,  once  more  to  look 
towards  His  holy  habitation.  And  as  it  is  through  suffer- 
ings that  our  natures  are  refined  and  sanctified,  they 
must  not  be  of  our  own  choosing,  because  the  suffering 
might  then,  in  a  great  measure,  cease,  and  that  necessary 
heat  which  attends  the  furnace  of  affliction,  and  which 
purifies  the  mineral,  get  quenched,  for  so  depraved  are  our 
ideas  of  things  that  I  have  thought,  and  in  some  mea- 
sure felt,  that  even  in  our  baptisms  of  spirit  we  would 
wish  to  have  a  choice,  so  active  is  self  that  it  cannot 
be  satisfied  without  a  sphere  to  move  in.  *  *  *  He 
who  placeth  the  members  of  His  church,  and  appoints 
them  their  lots,  does  not  leave  their  support  to  flow  through 
corrupt  sources,  but  maketh  their  steps,  and,  perhaps 
quite  hiddenly,  confirms  the  feeble  knees,  and  leadeth 
them  in  a  way  they  know  not.  My  mind  is  frequently 
too  much  depressed,  and  sometimes  tossed  with  tempests, 
to  admit  a  consolatory  sentiment,  much  less  to  offer  my 
friend  the  language  of  encouragement ;  nevertheless  I 
cannot  help  expressing  my  firm  belief,  that  all  thy  troubles 
will  work  together  for  good;  and  the  deeper  they  are, 
the  greater  will  be  the  preparation  for  a  glorious  reward 
in  the  house  of  the  one  Father. — Sarah  Grubb.  1780. 


310  DAILY   READINGS.  [Eleybnth  Month  6. 

'*  Of  the  increase  of  his  government  and  peace  there  shall  be  no  end,  upon  the 
throne  of  David,  and  upon  his  kingdom,  to  order  it,  and  to  establish  it  with 
judgment  and  with  justice,  from  henceforth  even  for  ever.  Tne  zeal  of  the 
Lord  of  host*  will  perform  this."— Isa.  ix.  7. 

WHEN  the  Christian  dispensation  was  about  to  be 
introduced  into  the  world,  its  near  approach 
was  proclaimed  by  John  the  Baptist,  the  immediate  fore- 
runner of  Christ,  in  these  words,  "The  kingdom  of  heav- 
en," or,  "The  kingdom  of  God,  is  at  hand."     *     *     * 

This  great  event  had  long  been  expected  by  the  Jews. 
Their  prophets  had  predicted  it  from  one  generation  to 
another  ;  its  glory  and  privileges,  and  pre-eminence  had 
been  often  pointed  out;  but  the  mode  of  accomplishment 
was  not  clearly  defined  nor  understood.  When  Christ 
spoke  to  his  disciples  of  his  approaching  sufferings  and 
death,  even  one  of  themselves  replied,  under  the  expecta- 
tion of  an  outward  kingdom :  "  Be  it  far  from  thee, 
Lord ;  this  shall  not  be  unto  thee."  And  after  his  cruci- 
fixion, being  ignorant  of  the  nature  of  his  intentions,  they 
anxiously  inquired  of  him,  "  Lord,  wilt  thou  at  this  time 
restore  the  kingdom  of  Israel?"  As  the  King  of  the 
Jews,  he  was  arraigned  before  Pilate ;  and  when  this 
governor  demanded  of  him  the  truth  of  the  charge,  he 
answered  :  "  My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world  ;  if  my  king- 
dom were  of  this  world,  then  would  my  servants  fight, 
that  I  should  not  be  delivered  to  the  Jews;  but  now  is 
my  kingdom  not  from  hence ;"  and  he  added :  "  Thou 
sayest  truly  I  am  a  king ;  to  this  end  was  I  born,  and  for 
this  cause  came  I  into  the  world,  that  I  miglit  bear  wit- 
ness to  the  truth." — John  Allen   England,  1853. 


Elkventh  Month  7.]         DAILY   KEADINGS.  311 

"  O  wretched  man  that  I  am !  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death 
1  thank  God  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."— Romans  vii.  24,  25, 

THE  first  vocal  prayer  I  remember  having  uttered, 
was  extorted  from  me  by  distress,  when  in  a  kneel- 
ing attitude  I  was  preparing  to  cut  some  hay  for  catth'. 
The  purport  of  it  may  serve  to  show  the  darkness  aiiil 
doubt  of  the  heart  from  which  it  burst,  like  water  from  the 
rock  when  smitten  by  Moses ;  it  was  brief,  being  com- 
prehended ill  these  few  emphatic  words :  "  If  there  be  a 
God  in  heaven,  I  pray  Thee  help  me."  In  a  review  of 
a  remarkable  visitation  which  he  had  experienced,  he  thus 
wrote,  some  years  after  its  occurrence :  "  The  visitation 
of  Divine  love  and  mercy,  which  thou  wast  favored  with 
in  thy  lonely  journey,  appears  to  have  been  a  very  pre- 
cious one  indeed,  and  has  reminded  me  much  of  that  which, 
as  perhaps  I  have  before  told  thee,  about  fourteen  years 
ago,  as  I  was  riding  alone,  on  a  highway,  completed,  as 
I  am  willing  to  hope,  a  conversion  which  had  previously 
been  most  unstable  and  wavering,  or  rather,  shall  I  say, 
which  had  rescued  me  from  the  jaw  of  the  lion  and  paw 
of  the  bear,  and  placed  my  poor  soul  in  a  capacity  to  en 
deavor  to  know  and  to  do  the  will  of  God.  Since  that 
eventful  crisis  in  my  spiritual  history,  I  think  I  have  never 
absolutely  turned  my  back  on  the  way  wliich  appeared 
to  be  cast  up  for  me,  nor  wilfully  departed  from  my  God, 
— Jonathan  Hutchinson. 

An  honest  man  is  such  without  a  law. 


312  DAILY   READINGS. 


[Eleventh  Month  8. 


"  At  that  time  Je^us  answered  and  said,  I  thank  thee,  O  Father,  Lord  of  heaven 
and  earth,  because  thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and  prudent,  and 
hast  revealed  them  unto  babes.  Even  so,  Father ;  for  it  seemed  good  in  thy 
sight."— Matthew  xi.  25,  23. 


BABES  have  been  KU  messengers,  and  children  have 
been  His  ministers,  who  in  innocency  have  re- 
ceived the  revelation  of  His  Holy  Spirit,  by  which  the 
deep  things  of  His  law  and  of  His  glorious  gospel  of  life 
and  salvation  have  been  revealed.  And  among  these 
babes,  who  thus  came  to  receive  a  knowledge  of  the  mys- 
teries of  the  kingdom  of  God,  by  the  working  of  His  di- 
vine power,  was  tliis  noble  child,  James  Parnell,  who  was 
a  vessel  of  honor  indeed,  and  mighty  in  the  powder  and 
spirit  of  Emmanuel,  breaking  down  and  laying  .desolate 
many  mighty  and  strong  holds  and  towers  of  defense, 
in  which  the  old  deceiver  had  fortified  himself  and  his 
children. 

The  diligence  with  which  James  Parnell  labored,  and 
the  eagerness  of'  the  people  to  hear  the  Truth,  are  strik- 
ingly exemplified  in  the  account  of  his  services,  the  day 
after  he  arrived  at  Colchester.  He  went  there  on  a 
seventh-day,  and  on  the  first-day  preached  the  Truth  to 
many  thousand  people — first  in  his  own  lodging,  then 
in  the  steeple-house  after  the  sermon,  and  then  at  a  great 
meeting  appointed  on  purpose,  and  after  the  meeting 
ilisputed  with  the  town-lecturer,  and  another  priest,  in 
all  which  "  the  wisdom,  power  and  patience  of  Christ 
appeared  very  gloriously,"  to  the  convincing  of  many 
who  were  witnesses  of  that  day's  work. — Stephen  Crisjj^s 
7^estimony  to  James  Parnell. 


Elbventh  Month  9.]  DAILY   HEADINGS.  313 

"For  the  weapons  of  our  warfare  are  not  carnal,  but  mighty  through  God  to 
pulling  down  of  strongholds."— 2  Cor.  x.  4. 

BUT  how,  I  pray,  did  the  primitive  Christians  main- 
tain their  ground,  yea,  grow  upon  their  adversa- 
ries (poor,  naked  men,  and  not  of  the  greatest  quality  or 
capacity,)  and  finally  vanquish  cruelty  itself,  but  by  faith 
and  patience  ?  Thus  they  converted  executioners,  over- 
came emperors  and  armies,  and,  by  a  successive  course  of 
meek  and  suffering  integrity,  turned  the  edge  of  the 
sword,  quenched  the  flames  of  fire  with  their  own 
blood,  not  the  blood  of  their  enemies,  and,  finally,  this 
holy  constancy  translated  them  from  the  theater  of 
slaughter  to  the  palaces  and  diadems  of  princes.  This 
brings  to  my  remembrance  a  passage  one  author  has  in 
this  book,  to  this  effect :  That  "  there  is  nothing  a  greater 
tarnish  and  withering  to  the  Protestant  cause,  than  the 
professors  of  it  betaking  themselves,  and  that  early,  to 
earthly  powers  and  weapons  to  preserve  and  promote 
it,"  which  are  not  the  weapons  of  the  apostolical 
warfare,  and  inconsistent  with  the  nature,  powers  and 
glories  of  Christ's  Kingdom ;  for  the  preservation  of 
the  Protestant  religion  stands  in  a  spirit  of  true  reforma- 
tion, as  well  in  life  as  doctrine,  as  plainly  decayed,  if 
not  lost ;  and  if  to  be  feared  for  that  reason,  that  God 
will  blow  upon  all  other  ways  of  supporting  it,  espe- 
cially such  as  we  thought  a  fault  in  our  enemies  in  worldly 
arts  and  force. — B.  Barclay. 

Associate  with  the  wise. 


314  DAILY    EEADLN'GS.        [Eleventh  Month  10. 

"  Then  said  Jesus  unto  the  twelve,  Will  je  also  go  away  ?  Then  Simon  Pe- 
ter answered  him  :  Lord,  to  whom  shall  we  go?" — John  vi.  67,  68. 

I  OBSERVE,  with  concern,  that  the  conflicts  of 
have  terminated  in  a  conclusion  to  leave  the  Socie- 
ty. Whatever  they  may  think,  I  do  not  believe  they 
will  do  better,  tliough  perhaps,  to  the  natural  part,  an 
easier  way.  This  conclusion  is  not,  I  think,  either  the 
result  of  prejudice  or  education,  but  (with  such  abilities  as 
I  possess)  of  a  careful  investigation  of  the  subject,  with  a 
strong  natural  propensity  towards  greater  liberty  than 
consistency  without  profession  allows;  for  the  sake  of  a 
way  less  narrow,  and  perhaps  partly  aware  and  ashamed 
of  my  own  deviations,  than  which  nothing  exposes  us 
more  to  contempt,  I  have  in  early  life  wished  I  had  not 
been  born  in  the  Society. 

In  the  folly  and  inexperience  of  my  mind,  I  have  said, 
I  could  not  see  the  necessity  of  carrying  a  badge  of  Qua- 
kerism about  me.  And  yet  after  all  this,  I  have  been  in- 
duced from  conviction  to  submit  to  part  with  things 
which  I  once  highly  valued,  *and  to  take  up  others  which 
I  equally  despised.  And  though  I  am  willing  to  grant 
that  our  inconsistencies  may  have  been  stumbling-blocks, 
yet  I  cannot  believe  our  principles,  with  all  the  restraints 
that  they  impose,  can  ever  become  so  in  any  other  view 
than  that  wherein  Christ  crucified  was  to  the  Jews  a 
stumbling  block,  and  to  the  Greeks  foolishness. — Jona- 
than Hutchinson^  England,  1819. 

Excess  is  always  hurtM. 


Eleventh  Month  11  ]        DAILY   READINGS.  315 

"  And  have  no  certain  dwelling  place."— 1  Cor.  iv.  11. 

I  COUNT  it  an  intinite  mercy  that  the  Omnipotent 
God  suffered  not  the  thread  of  my  life  to  be  cut 
during  the  many  years  that  I  lived  in  disobedience  to  His 
holy  will ;  and  though  often,  by  the  operation  of  His 
grace,  inwardly  touched  and  convicted  of  my  eri*ors,  and 
the  veil  so  far  rent  from  off  my  understanding  as  to  let 
me  see  that  I  stooped  on  the  brink  of  ruin,  yet  did  I  as 
often  suffer  the  enemy  of  my  soul  again  to  darken  my 
understanding  and  benumb  my  spiritual  feeling. 

He  saw  meet  to  divest  me  of  all  things  here  below 
that  were  near  and  dear  to  me,  and  left  me  no  inheritance 
on  earth  but  His  own  Providence  ;  and  like  Himself,  when 
in  the  prepared  body,  and  His  immediate  followers.  He 
made  me  to  have  no  certain  place  of  abode,  yet  did  He 
raise  up  friends  for  me  where  I  least  expected  them ;  and 
when  I  was  deprived  of  the  care  and  help  of  my  natural 
father  and  mother.  He  became  a  Father  to  me,  and  made 
others  willing  to  act  for  me  as  though  I  had  been  their 
own  offspring;  and  no  sooner  did  one  friend  seem  to  fail 
me,  but  there  were  others  raised  up  in  a  fresh  quarter, 
where  He  would  have  my  lot  to  be  cast.  But  my  stub- 
born heart  Avould  often  rebel  against  Him,  and  reason 
with  Him  thus :  "  Why  am  I  come  into  this  situation  ? 
Why  receive  I  Thy  blessings,  as  at  second  hand,  and  must 
thank  my  fellow-mortals  for  all  the  temporal  good  I  re- 
ceive?"— 3Iary  Feisley^  Dublin,  Ireland,  1737. 


SI* 


DAILY   READINGS.        [Eleventh  Month  12 


•'  The  eternal  God  is  thy  refuge,  and  underneath  are  the  everlasting  arms." 
— Deuteronomj'  xxxiii.  27. 

THUS  did  I  at  times  count  myself  the  most  miserable 
of  all  creatures,  bereaved  of  all  inward  and  out- 
ward comforts.  The  sorrow  and  anxiety  of  my  soul  was 
unspeakable,  yea  inconceivable  by  all  that  had  not  felt  the 
like.  But  the  Lord  tried  me  if  I  would  walk  by  faith  and 
not  by  sight,  following  me  through  bushes  and  brambles^ 
and  in  an  untrodden  path,  to  see  if  I  could  embrace 
religion  with  all  its  rigors  and  discipline,  without  its  soul- 
supporting  consolations,  to  see  if  I  could  love  and  follow 
Him  for  the  favors  I  had  received  without  hopes  of  future 
reward :  or  if  I  could  live  on  the  commemoration  of  His 
beauty  and  excellency  when  He  had  drawn  as  it  were  a 
curtain  between  my  soul  and  Him,  so  that  no  ray  of  light 
pierced  through  my  benighted  soul.     *     *     * 

During  the  time  of  this  my  probation,  there  was  made 
me  an  offer  of  a  place  in  a  worthy  family  in  Jhe  neighbor- 
hood where  I  lived :  this  led  me  to  seek  counsel  of  the 
Lord.  I  was  received  with  all  kindness  and  respect,  and 
wanted  nothing  this  world  could  afford ;  but  I  wanted 
the  consolation  of  my  Beloved  and  the  light  of  His  counte- 
nance ;  all  other  enjoyments  were  embittered  to  me,  and 
wanted  the  relish  they  otherwise  would  have  had.  And 
this  I  found  to  be  a  trial  to  me,  to  see  if  I  could  rest  in 
the  creature  without  the  Creator  ;  which  I  could  not  do, 
blessed  be  the  name  of  my  God.— J/«r«/  Pelsley,  Ireland, 
1827. 


Eleventh  Month  13.]        DAILY   KEAirixiwO. 


*'  O  death,  where  is  thy  eting  ?  O  grave,  where  is  thy  victory  ?"— 1  Cor.  xv.  55. 

I  AM  in  a  very  poor  state  of  health,  and  with  little 
probability  of  ray  being  restored.  My  disorder  is 
attended  with  very  acute  pain ;  but  blessed  for  ever  be 
the  name  of  my  God,  patience  equivalent  thereto  has  been 
administered.  How  it  may  be  with  me  as  to  life  or  death, 
I  cannot  say ;  but  this  is  my  greatest  consolation,  and 
such  a  one  as  is  beyond  the  power  of  my  tongue  to  ex- 
press, viz,  that  I  have  not  spent  my  health  and  strength 
in  the  gratification  of  my  passions  or  sensual  appetites, 
but  in  some  degi'ee  in  the  pui*suit  of  that  which  now 
stands  by  me,  and  will  go  with  me  l>eyond  the  grave — a 
good  conscience  towards  God,  whose  love  I  feel  to  flow 
in  my  soul  in  such  a  manner  as  to  admit  of  no  doubt  that 
He  is  my  friend. 

Believe  me,  brother,  when  I  tell  thee,  at  a  time  when 
dissimulation  must  vanish — at  a  season  when  we  are  best 
capable  of  knowing  ourselves  and  judging  of  all  things 
in  the  clearest  manner — when  the  mists  of  the  world  are 
removed  from  before  our  eyes,  and  eternity  presented  to 
our  view — at  such  a  time  as  this  I  may  tell  thee,  I  am  not 
afraid  to  die  ;  nor  is  the  sound  of  mortality  and  eternity 
frightful  in  my  ears.  I^o,  I  cannot  look  on  death  as 
a  king  of  terrors,  but  as  a  welcome  messenger,  who 
comes  with  a  happy  release  from  all  my  trials,  temptations 
and  afflictions,  to  summon  me  to  an  eternity  of  unmixed 
felicity — to  that  which  I  have  most  deUghted  in  for 
years. — Mary  Peisley,  Ireland,  1747. 


318  DAILY    READINGS.        [Elevexth  Moxth  14. 

"  The  King's  daughter  is  all  glorious  within  :  her  clothing  is  of  wrought  gold." 
—Psalm  xlv.  13. 

BE  attentive,  therefore,  dear  Friend,  to  the  motion  of 
Light;  suffer  thyself  to  be  girded  by  the  holy 
girdle,  and  thy  back  will  be  strengthened  for  work,  thy 
standing  will  be  pronounced  sure  by  thy  stability,  and 
tliy  head  will  be  covered  in  the  day  of  battle.  I  am  not 
insensible  how  men  are  attacked  by  the  grand  enemy. 
If  he  fails  when  he  have  them  in  one  position,  he  attempts 
to  draw  them  from  it  to  another,  with  a  view  to  a  better 
success.  If  the  banner  be  over  us,  in  the  limitation  as- 
signed the  Guardian  Angel  of  Preservation,  let  us  keep 
under  it,  and  we  shall  be  secure ;  the  enemy  will  not  be 
able  to  prevail  against  us,  when  we  have  the  glorious 
defence  of  the  Lord's  appointment. 

There  are  seasons  when  the  affectionate  part  is  up  in 
man,  and  purposes  things  agreeable  to  nature  in  oui-- 
selves,  that  we  are  ready  to  comply  with.  This  sometimes 
makes  the  way  intricate  to  ourselves,  for  when  we  bring 
it  to  the  standard  to  be  tried,  it  is  deficient  in  weight  and 
purity,  and  will  not  pass  the  trial  before  the  Judge.  I 
have  missed  in  this  respect,  therefore  I  drop  the  caution 
to  my  friends,  to  beware  of  giving  expectation  before  it 
is  tried  in  the  balance  of  the  sanctuary.  Kings'  children 
should  always  preserve  their  dignity,  by  taking  heed 
l)ow  they  mix  among  the  people,  and  their  associations 
and  alliance  ought  to  be  with  the  royal  lineage.  In  this 
the  King  of  kings  is  honored*  and  our  own  dignity  pre- 
served.— Samvel  Neale^  Publin,  Ireland,  17T0. 


Eleventh  Month  15.]       DAILY   READINGS.  319 

"  To  every  thing  thew  is  a  season,  and  time  to  every  purpose  under  the  hea- 
ven."—Prov.  ill.  1. 

I  CANNOT  but  wish  to  spend  a  few  weeks  witli 
thee,  either  here  or  at  York,  but  as  I  am  sensible  it  is 
not  good  for  us  to  have  our  inclinations  gratified  at  all 
times,  I  am  desirous  to  be  easy,  and  resigned  to  every- 
thing that  may  cross  my  natural  propensities,  that  so, 
when  affliction  and  probation  may  present  themselves, 
which  certainly  will  attend  our  pilgrimage  through  this 
uncertain  stage  of  life,  I  may  be  the  more  strengthened  to 
undergo  these  trying  seasons  with  patience  and  fortitude. 
But  I  may  conclude  with  the  words,  which  thou  hast  re- 
peated before :  "  to  will,  is  present  with  me  ;  but  to  do, 
I  know  not ; "  for  though  this  fortitude  and  resignation 
are  things  much  to  be  desired,  yet  to  be  entirely  given 
up  to  the  will  and  disposal  of  a  kind  Providence  is  no 
easy  attainment.  Thou  mentioned  diiference  of  our  sit- 
uations ;  and  it  would  be  ungrateful,  if  I  did  not  consider 
and  look  upon  my  privileges  as  favors  from  indulgent 
Heaven,  if  I  make  a  proper  use  of  them.  But  it  is  the  state 
of  the  mind  that  limits  our  happiness ;  and  alas  !  it  is  the 
want  of  a  sufficient  care  in  the  cultivation  of  my  mind 
that  is  a  means  of  obstructing  that  peace  which  it  would 
be  sweet  to  enjoy. — Sarah  Gruhh^  aged  16,  1772. 


I  am  sometimes  able,  with  the  eye  of  faith,  to  see  and  to  grasp  the  assurance 
that  one  of  those  mansions  our  Saviour  went  to  prepare  is  opened  for  me ;  but 
while  in  the  body  faith  is  often  weak.— Moses  Bedeb. 


320 


DAILY   READINGS.        [Eleventh  Month  16 


"  Who  then  is  that  faithful  and  wise  steward,  whom  his  lord  shall  make  rulei 
over  his  household."— Luke  xii.  42. 

MAY  I  without  offense  refer  to  the  infirmities  at- 
tendant on  old  age,  and  our  experience  of  them 
— how  distressing  with  every  alleviation  that  money  can 
juirchase  or  friends  administer?  To  the  same,  or  to  a 
greater  degree  of  suffering  are  so  many  of  our  fellow 
creatures,  older  and  more  infirm  than  ourselves,  subjected 
— wretchedly  lodged,  scantily  as  well  as  meanly  fed,  with- 
out a  friend  to  pity  or  assist  them ;  in  want  of  clothes, 
food  and  fire,  without  the  means  to  keep  their  apparel 
clean,  if  they  had  it ;  with  little  to  supply  all  then*  wants. 
Though  so  unequal  the  dispensations  of  the  present  life, 
these  are  equally  with  us  the  objects  of  redeeming  love, 
equally  interested  in  the  benefits  of  the  suffering,  the 
death  and  the  mediation  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  common 
Saviour.  Should  we  not  consider  who  made  us  to  differ 
from  them,  and  what  have  we  that  we  did  not  receive  ? 
Is  not  that  we  have  received  and  do  not  want,  the  pro- 
perty of  those  who  do  want  and  have  it  not  ?  Is  it  not  com- 
mitted to  us  as  stewards  for  the  poor  who  often  are  inca- 
pable of  managing  for  themselves  ?  For  these  and  other 
talents  entrusted  to  us  for  imj^rovement  we  must  very 
soon  give  an  account.  Our  time  of  life  justifies  our  con- 
sidering what  we  now  offer  as  an  evening  sacrifice,  which 
will  not  be  the  less  acceptable  because  intended  for  those 
who  cannot  thank  us,  and  to  continue  to  their  successors 
when  we  and  all  ours  shall  be  extinct. — Richard  JRey- 
??o?(7s,  Bristol,  England,  1813. 


Eleventh  Month  17.]        DAILY   READINGS.  321 

"  No  man  knoweth  of  his  sepulcher  into  this  day."— Dent,  xxxiv.  fi 

SHE  is  a  sprightly,  sensible  woman;  but  wonld  suit 
my  taste  much  better,  if  more  of  the  diffident,  the 
humble,  the  simple  entered  into  her  composition.  And 
even  true  genius  and  literary  accomplishments  receive  a 
softness  and  luster  from  these  qualities  highly  ornament- 
al. I  hope  I  am  not  apt  to  force  the  subject  of  religion  into 
conversation,  (like  poor  Saul,  who  would  have  the  proph- 
et conjured  up  for  him  ;)  but  let  advanced  age,  experi- 
ence, and  parental  affection  say,  religion,  my  dear  child, 
is  the  safety,  the  happiness,  the  glory  of  human  nature. 
By  its  sanctifying  ^■irtue  natural  and  improved  abilities  . 
are  kept  in  due  subjection,  regulated  and  directed  to  use- 
ful purposes  ;  by  this  we  have  counsel  and  wisdom  in 
intricate  concerns  ;  by  this  we  have  counsel,  and  resource, 
and  consolation  in  distress ;  and  by  this  we  have  (the 
greatest  of  all  favors)  the  evidence,  the  assurance,  earn- 
est of  a  happy  immortality.  Aspire  after  the  knowledge 
of  it,  my  dear  daughter !  with  all  thy  acquirements,  en- 
deavor to  acquire  this.  Remember  Moses  was  exceeding 
fair,  who  had  the  education  of  a  court  to  polish  his  man- 
ners, who  was  wise  in  all  the  learning  of  the  Egyptians, 
and  whose  2>oetlcal  talents  are  left  on  record  in  his  song ; 
yet  had  he  given  preference  to  these  qualities  in  his  heart, 
he  would  never  have  been  the  leader  of  the  Lord's  people 
through  the  Red  Sea  and  the  wilderness.  So  though  no 
man  knows  where  the  visible  part  of  him  was  buried, 
yet  his  memory  lives  and  preaches  loudly  to  us  to  this 
day. — Richard  Shackleton^  17 8 7. 


322  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Eleventh  Month  1& 


"  But  I  keep  under  my  body,  and  bring  it  into  subjection :  lest  that  by  any 
means,  when  I  preached  to  others,  I  myself  should  be  a  castaway.'*—!  Cor.  ix.  27. 

Ml"  birthday.  To  have  spent  thirty-thive  years  in 
this  world  feels  an  awful  consideration.  The 
knowledge  of  having  fallen  very  short  of  duty  humbles 
ine  under  a  sense  of  that  goodness  which  has  been  merci- 
fully near  during  many  stages  of  the  wilderness  journey 
preserving  in  infancy,  guarding  in  childhood,  upholding 
through  the  slippery  path  of  youth,  and  offering  in  ma- 
turity the  sustaining  consolations  of  love,  which  has  in 
a  measure  operated  as  a  power  capable  o£  subduing  all 
things  to  itself.     *     *     * 

We  drank  tea  at  a  Friend's  house,  where  was  a  young 
person  who  lived  in  London,  and  was  once  an  acknowl- 
edged minister;  but  through  un watchfulness  of  some 
kind,  the  cruel  Adversary  has  laid  waste  what  was  no 
doubt  rightly  begun  and  happily  advancing.  In  a  relgious  - 
sitting  after  tea,  she  was  powerfully  reached,  and,  under 
the  ministry  of  reconciliation  and  earnest  entreaty  to 
believe  in  the  sufficiency  of  that  power  which  would  yet 
"open  before  her  the  two-leaved  gates,  and  cut  in  sunder 
the  bars  of  iron." 

How  often  do  I  fear  that  through  some  snare  or  other, 
after  having  preached  into  others,  I  myself  may  become 
a  castaway.  May  Omnipotence  defend,  and  rather  cut 
the  thread  of  my  life  than  suffer  me  to  bring  dishonor 
upon  a  cause  which  at  the  present  moment  I  prefer  to 
riches,  length  of  days,  or  any  worldly  consideration. — 
Charlotte  Dudley,  London,  1812. 


Eleventh  Month  19.]         DAILY   HEADINGS.  323 

"  There  is  none  that  calleth  upon  thy  name,  that  stirreth  up  himself  to  take 
hold  of  thee."— Isa.  Ixiv.  7. 

"  For  who  is  this  that  engageth  his  heart  to  approach  unto  me,  saith  the 
Lord  ?"— Jer.  xxx.  ^. 

AMONG  some  confused  thoughts  I  have  had  on 
these  Scriptures,  this  was  one :  that,  for  the  bet- 
ter stirring  up  and  engaging  the  heart  to  approach  unto 
God,  it  might  be  useful  for  a  believer  to  be  very  punctual 
in  observing  all  the  passages  of  Divine  Providence 
that  concern  him,  and  those  related  to  him,  for  Avhom  he 
is  making  daily  supplications  and  putting  up  petitions ; 
and  that  these,  for  the  better  remembering  of  them,  be 
written  down  and  often  perused.  So  the  Lord  appointed 
Moses,  Exod.  xvii.  14,  for  a  memorial  of  Amalek's  de- 
struction, to  write  it  in  a  hooh^  that  it  might  he  rehearsed 
to  Joshua,,  It  is  observable  here  that  it  was  Joshua  who 
was  general  when  Amalek  was  defeated,  and  yet  it  must 
be  written  in  a  hook  to  he  rehearsed  to  Joshua.  Why  ? 
Because  God  would  have  him  hereby  engaged  upon  every 
remembrance  of  this  victory,  and  lest  it  should  be  for- 
gotten it  must  be  written. 

My  thoughts  have  stayed  a  little  upon  this  subject.  I 
resolved  to  set  down  shortly  what  I  could  remember  of 
the  Lord's  dispensations  towards  me,  both  of  mercies  and 
corrections,  having  weakly  sought  of  Him  that  this 
means  may  be  blessed  and  prove  effectual  for  the  enga- 
ging of  my  harren  and  hacksUding  heart  to  Him,  never 
to  depart  from  Him  any  more  ! — Alexander  Jaffray,  1650, 


324:  DAILY   READINGS.         [Eleventh  Moxth  20. 

"  Let  the  words  of  my  month,  and  the  meditations  of  my  heart,  be  accepts 
ble  in  thy  sight,  O  Lord,  my  strength  and  my  redeemer."— Psahn  xix.  14. 

SHALL  I  tell  thee  that  I  have  a  little  rocabulaiy  of 
words  and  phrases,  which  I  believe,  as  to  the  sense 
in  which  they  are  commonly  used,  want  a  more  careful 
revision  and  correction  then  they  generally  obtain  ?  Fate 
or  foHwie,  with  its  various  combinations,  accident  oi 
charice,  infinite^  and  some  others,  seem  to  be  often  so 
misapplied  and  perverted  as,  in  the  true  spirit  of  heathen- 
ism and  infidelity,  to  give  an  imaginary  importance  to 
shadows,  and  this  too  by  the  senseless  and  affecting  exclu 
sions  of  a  Providence,  not  only  from  His  general  super- 
intendence, but  from  those  particular  cases  wherein  He 
might  rationally  be  recognized  and  ought  devoutly  to  be 
acknowledged. 

There  is  also  a  practice  in  the  higher  circles  of  social 
intercourse,  with  which  I  have  a  decided  controversy.  I 
mean  that  hyperbolical  form  of  speech  which  probably 
originated  among  the  rich  and  learned,  and  from  them 
descended  into  the  ranks  of  humbler  life,  so  that  now,  in- 
stead of  being  "  pleased  with  a  feather,  tickled  with  a 
straw,"  Ave  hear  of  people  being  transported  to  ecstasy 
from  no  higher  causes  ;  and  should  a  shower  prevent  a 
morning's  walk,  a  slight  pain  or  unwelcome  tidings 
abridge  any  earthly  enjoyment,  they  cannot  stop  at  dis- 
appointment or  uneasiness,  low  and  insipid  expressions 
—their  nobler  spirits  must  take  a  bolder  leap. — Jonathan 
Hutchinson,  1825. 


EU5VBNTH  Month  21.]        DAILY   READINGS.  325 

"Ib  lii;e  uuto  a  maa  that  is  an  householder,  which  bringeth  forth  oat  of 
his  treasure  things  new  and  old."— Matt.  xiii.  52. 

SOME  persons  who  take  up  this  volume  may  think 
that  tlie  frequently  repeated  relations  of  experien 
ces,  nearly  similar,  are  tedious  to  be  read,  but  it  may  bo 
doubted  whether  such  critics  will  be  found  among  the 
hungry  souls,  or  the  abased  ones.  These  will  recollect 
that,  in  like  manner  as  the  wants  of  the  body  recur  from 
the  same  existing  cause,  and  are  relieved  by  similar 
means,  the  general  wants  of  the  soul  also  arising  from  the 
operation  of  causes  Avhich  are  long  permanent,  will  con- 
tinue to  require  a  supply  of  the  same  remedies.  These 
also  will  be  likely  to  perceive  that,  even  in  the  sameness 
of  the  feelings  of  the  writer,  there  is  a  life  which  not  only 
prevents  satiety,  but  which  diffuses  animation  of  her 
soliloquies,  in  which  may  be  discovered  the  humble  per- 
severance of  a  quickened  mind.     *     *     * 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that,  among  the  various  descriptions 
of  readers  into  whose  hands  these  sheets  may  fall,  the 
newly  awakened  may  derive  encouragement  to  yield  up 
their  wills  to  the  requirings  of  the  Lord,  by  observing 
how  much  is  exemplified  by  that  description  of  the  ways 
of  wisdom  :  "Her  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all 
her  paths  are  peace."  And  tlie  deliverances  from  tempta- 
tion, the  consolations  in  affliction,  and  the  support  in  tri- 
als here  recorded,  may  animate  the  more  experienced  trav- 
eler to  hold  on  his  way,  trusting  to  the  Lord  alone,  to 
nothing  short  of  the  arm  of  Omnipotence. — S.  Waring''8 
Preface  to  the  Life  of  Mary  Waring,  London,  1810. 


DAILY    KEADTNGS.        [Eleventh  Month  22. 


"  Wherefore,  seeing  we  also  are  compassed  about  with  so  great  a  cloud  of 
witnesses,  let  us  lay  aside  every  weight,  and  the  sin  which  doth  so  easily  beset 
OB,  and  let  us  run  with  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before  us."— Heb.  xii.  1. 

AS  the  traveler  in  a  desert  rejoices  to  find  the  way- 
marks  of  former  pilgrims,  and  is  strengthened 
and  encouraged  when  he  can  trace  the  footsteps  of  those 
who  have  gone  before  him,  so  may  the  pilgrims  of  Canaan, 
the  travelei*s  to  a  "  better  country,"  delight  to  trace  the 
pathway  by  which  their  brethren  and  sistei*s  have  been 
led,  through  this  land  of  shadows,  to  their  heavenly  eter- 
nal rest.  It  is  with  this  view  that  the  following  imperfect 
account  of  a  beloved  sister  is  presented  to  the  reader.  *  * 
May  some  of  her  brethren  and  sisters  in  religious  pro- 
fession have  their  faith  a  little  confirmed  in  the  truth  of 
those  principles  which  she  with  them  professed,  and 
which  were  dear  to  her  to  the  last ;  and  may  Christians  of 
every  name  recognize,  in  this  cross-bearing  and  cross- 
wearing  follower  of  the  Lamb,  another  added  to  the  cloud 
of  witnesses,  to  the  tinith  and  faithfulness  of  our  God — 
the  love  and  mercy  of  our  Saviour.  May  it  tend  to  the 
encouragement  of  those  whose  faces  are  set  Zionward,  and 
yet  whose  hands  are  ready  to  hang,  down,  that  instruc- 
tion may  be  reaped  by  these  from  the  instruction  of  her 
whose  short  life  was  marked  with  trials  and  deep  prov- 
ings,  but  enabled  from  season  to  season  to  rejoice  in  them, 
and  all  rejoicingly  to  look  forward  to  the  land  of  perfect 
rest  and  peace,  where  temptation  cannot  approach,  and 
the  billows  of  affliction  roll  no  more. — From  Memoir  of 
Mary  Ann  6^ i^^^m,  London,  1832. 


Elevbkth  Month  23.]       DAILY   READINGS.  327 

"  He  that  is  faithful  in  Giat  which  is  least,  is  faithful  also  in  much.'"— Luke 
xvi.  10. 

MARY  ANN  GILPIN,  when  at  home,  very  early 
exercised  a  watchful  care  over  her  brothers  and 
sisters,  and  in  simplicity  endeavored  to  bring  them  to  walk 
in  wisdom's  paths.  She  had  a  way  peculiarly  her  own  td 
convey  to  the  diiFerent  members  of  lier  family  the  counsel 
or  admonition  she  thought  it  right  to  give  them. 
Often  has  she  checked  the  rising  evil  tempers  of  her 
younger  brothers  when  striving  together,  by  the  gentle 
repetition  of  some  lines  such  as  these : — Remember 

"  He  that  condescends  the  most, 
Remains  the  victor  still." 

And  when  those  about  her  own  age  had,  in  her  view, 
yielded  to  temptation,  or  given  way  to  angry  feeling,  or 
suffered  the  ever  watchful  adversary  to  gain  the  mas- 
tery, a  little  note  laid  on  the  dressing-table  would  con- 
vey a  sister's  faithful  warning :  My  dear  brothers  and 
sisters  :  Let  me  entreat  you  always  to  begin  and  end  the 
day  with  prayer ;  in  the  morning  seek  direction  to  act 
rightly  during  the  day.  I  have  found  from  experience 
that  I  can,  of  myself,  do  no  good  thing,  or  even  think  a 
good  thought — and  do  you  not  find  it  to  be  your  case  also  ? 

Most  affectionately  do  I  entreat  you  all  to  give  up  your 
whole  heart  MXito  the  Lord;  and  whilst  endeavoring  under 
His  direction  to  perform  the  duties  of  this  life,  never  to 
forget  to  prepare  for  another,  even  in  what  are  termed 
little  things ;  but  remember  the  whole  heart  must  be  surren- 
dered.— Memoir  of  Mary  Ann  Gilpi7i,  London,  1831. 


328  DAILY    HEADINGS.        [Eleventh  Month  24 

"  But  God  hath  chosen  the  foolish  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  wise  ; 
and  God  hath  chosen  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  things 
which  are  mighty."—!  Cor  i.  27. 

LET  no  reader  be  so  fastidious  as  to  conteiun  the 
simple  style  of  George  Fox. 
Though  unlettered,  he  possessed  a  sound  judgment 
and  a  quick  apprehension.  But  liad  he  been,  and  were 
many  more  of  the  advocates  for  the  inward  light  of  Christ, 
and  for  a  self-denying  life,  deficient  in  acuteness  of  un- 
derstanding, this  would  not  detract  from  their  virtue, 
nor  from  the  purity  and  excellence  of  religion.  If  the 
offices  of  religion  are  often  filled  by  persons  not  distin- 
guished by  superior  mental  acquisitions,  one  cause  of  it 
may  be  the  too  frequent  refusal  of  talents  and  learning 
to  bend  in  subjection  to  the  humbling  power  of  the  Cross. 
It  seems  difficult  to  quit  this  subject,  without  expressing 
an  ardent  wish,  that,  amidst  the  career  of  prosperity, 
and  the  captivating  charms  of  indulgence,  some  reade/ 
may  be  found,  who  may  be  willing  here  to  pause ;  to 
consider  with  Barclay,  "  that  the  height  of  all  liappiness 
is  placed  in  the  true  knowledge  of  God,"  and  to  inquire 
seriously  of  the  divine  witness  in  the  heart :  "  am  I  really 
concerned  to  obtain  and  to  preserve  this  knowledge,  or 
is  it  the  whole,  or  the  chief  business  of  my  life  to  pursue 
things  of  a  temporal  nature. — A  Ft-iend, 


"  The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  knowledge ;  but  fools  despise  wisdom 
and  instruction.  My  son,  hear  the  instruction  of  thy  father,  and  forsake  not  tho 
law  of  thy  mother.  For  they  shall  be  an  ornament  of  grace  unto  thy  head,  and 
chains  about  thy  neck."— Prov.  i.  7-9, 


Eleventh  Month  25.1 


DAILY    READINGS.  329 


"Wherefore  he  saith.when  he  ascended  up  oa  high,  he  led  captivity  captive, 
and  j?ave  gifts  unto  men." — Eph.  iv.  8. 

BUT  noAV  a  temptation  of  another  kind  began  to  in- 
terrupt me ;  for,  having  had  a  reputation  in  that 
country,  of  an  understanding  at  least  equal  to  my  educa- 
tion and  years,  wlien  my  aquaintances  and  others  heard 
of  my  appearance  in  a  public  ministry,  they  expected 
something  more  from  me  than  from  some  others,  of 
whom  they  had  not  conceived  the  like  opinion ;  and  I 
knowing  the  way  of  truth  with  me  was  not  in  the  wis- 
dom and  multiplicity  of  words,  but  in  his  own  virtue 
and  simplicity,  and  in  a  few  sentences  only,  was  not  will- 
ing of  myself  to  yield  up  my  own  imaginary  honor  on 
that  account,  and  be  exposed  as  a  fool,  in  their  way  of 
judging.  This  affected  me  so  that  I  became  backward 
to  appear  when  such  were  present,  and  sometimes  neg- 
lected the  proper  time  of  the  movings  of  the  Lord  in  this 
calling;  by  which  I  retarded  my  growth  therein,  and 
was  in  danger  of  greater  loss.  But  the  Lord  is  just  and 
merciful;  and  though  He  charged  it  as  a  failure,  yet, 
by  degrees,  He  helped  me  forward,  though  it  was  a  long 
time  before  I  got  over  it ;  for  it  laid  sometimes  as  a  block 
in  my  way  for  many  years  after,  remaining  the  unmoved 
cause  of  many  a  heavy  load;  which  none  knew,  or  could 
ease  me  of,  but  the  Lord  alone  ;  and  if  He  had  not  ex- 
tended mercy  I  had  yet  been  undone  for  ever,     *     *     * 

O  Lord,  take  pity  on  a  perishing  soul,  borne  down  un- 
der a  multitude  of  vile  affections,  trodden  under  foot  by 
the  insolence  of  the  wicked  one. — Thomas  Story ^  1090. 


330 


Daily   readings.        [eleventh  month  26 


"  Many  shall  ran  to  and  fro,  and  knowledge  shall  be  increased."— Dan.  xil.  4. 

I  MUST  confess  to  the  glory  of  God  in  my  own  self- 
abasement,  and  his  bearing  sway  over  my  will  and 
affection  by  his  own  power,  wisdom  and  providence,  I  was 
at- that  time  prevented  from  going  to  London  to  visit  my 
brethren  and  friends  there,  according  to  my  own  desire 
and  affection  ;  the  Lord  having  then  more  work  and 
service  as  well  as  suffering  for  me  to  go  through  in  the 
country,  and  particularly  in  the  county  of  Suffolk,  before 
I  might  obtain  my  desire  of  going  to  London.  Having 
had  blessed  and  effectual  service  by  the  special  assist- 
tance  of  the  Lord's  power  in  Norfolk  and  in  High  Suffolk, 
I  must  now  be  a  sufferer  in  Low  Suffolk,  and  bear  my 
testimony  for  him,  in  a  hard  confinement  and  inhuman 
treatment  in  prison.  In  those  days,  among  the  exercises 
which  befel  several  of  us,  whom  the  Lord  so  easily  called 
and  sent  forth  to  preach  the  gospel  of  repentance  unto 
life  and  salvation,  we  were  led  and  moved  one  while  to 
run  to  and  fro,  that  knowledge  might  increase  among  peo- 
ple, in  the  ways  and  dealings  of  the  Lord ;  another  while 
to  be  taken  and  imprisoned,  strictly  confined,  and  severely 
used,  and  many  times  inhumanh'^  and  barbarously  treated ; 
as  the  subsequent  accounts  may  in  part  show ;  also  what 
manner  of  spirit  ruled  and  actuated  some  men  under  high 
professions  of  religion  and  Christianity ;  and  how  un- 
christian they  were  in  practice.  But  the  power  of  the 
Lord  our  God  supported  and  sustained  us. —  George 
Whitehead,  1655. 


ai-EVENTu  Month  27.]        BATLY  KEADINGS.  SSuL 

"  These  are  they  which  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their 
robes  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb."— Eev.  vii.  14. 

/^^  REAT  indeed  has  been  tlie  travail  of  my  soul  in 
yjT  secret  for  six  months  past.  I  could  copy  manj 
things  from  my  little  diary  which  would  convince  mj 
friends  that  I  have  not  been  idle,  and  I  have  thought 
sometimes,  if  it  was  my  Master's  good  pleasure  to  re- 
move me  from  ray  troubles  here,  the  account  of  my  time 
spent  from  day  to  day  would  witness  for  me ;  for  indeed 
I  have  been  a  mournful  Jeremiah  in  and  near  Lon- 
don, and  but  little  can  I  do  but  wait  for  those  days  to  be 
over,  and  to  hear  this  language :  It  is  enough  I  have  not 
drawn  back  from  any  labor  which  was  clearly  pointed  out 
in  my  own  land,  neither  do  I  find  this  charge  against  me  here, 
though  of  late  it  has  been  a  time  of  as  deep  searching  of 
heart  as  ever  my  soul  experienced.  Yet  after  all,  with  deep 
humility  I  acknowledge  I  have  not  been  faultless. 
What  a  hard  thing  it  is,  when  plunged  into  the  deeps,  to 
be  content  in  the  will  of  God ;  what  a  hard  thing  for  the 
unsubjected  will,  wit,  and  reason  of  man  to  become  a 
fool — one  of  no  reputation.  Truly  I  have  thought  my 
soul  never  Avas  made  so  sensible  of  what  the  patriarch, 
prophets,  and  mournful  sufferers  in  their  day  and  genera- 
tion passed  through,  and  of  the  agonizing  pangs  of  Him 
unto  whom  the  heathen  was  given  for  an  inheritance,  and 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  a  possession,  who 
also  gave  His  cheeks  to  the  smiter  and  His  face  to  them 
that  plucked  off  the  hair,  who  hid  not  His  face  from  shame 
and  spitting. — 27iomas JScatter(/oodjLondoii,  1Y98. 


332 


DAILY   READINGS.        [Eleventh  Month  28. 


"  Let  us  therefore  follow  after  the  thinge  which  make  for  peace,  and  things 
wherewith  one  may  edify  another."— Eom.  xiv.  19. 

THE  journals  of  pious  i^ersous  are  some  of  the  safest 
writings  that  can  be  put  into  the  hands  of  young 
people,  though  they  may  contain  little  more  than  a  reci- 
tal of  the  ways  in  which  those  worthies  were  led,  and  the 
difticultios  which,  by  a  simple  attention  and  obedience  to 
their  lieavenly  guide,  they  surmounted — that  is,  practice 
upon  principle,  without  embellishment.  They  are,  how- 
ever, not  likely  to  be  very  interesting  to  any  but  such  as 
have  their  feet,  in  some  degree,  turned  into  the  same 
way.  If  to  those  who  seek  more  for  amusement  than  in- 
struction, they  are  insipid,  it  is  because  we  remain  in- 
sensible of  their  turpitude  ;  it  must  be  because  they  are 
become  as  our  natural  element,  and  we  are  so  stujDified 
and  bewildered  by  them  as  not  to  regard  them. 

One  would  think  that  they  whose  religious  principles 
admit  of  a  continuance  in  sin  through  this  life,  are  not 
very  likely,  either  sincerely  to  desire  rescue  from  it,  or 
to  withstand  tlie  assaults  of  temptation  in  such  earnest- 
ness as  not -to  be  ov^ercome,  but  to  consider  their  relapses 
into  sin,  (especially  the  sin  which  most  easily  besets  them) 
as  unavoidable,  and  to  *>hun  the  depth  of  repentance 
whi  li  is  necessary  to  its  removaL — George  Dylwm. 

The  less  form  in  religion,  the  better,  since  God  is  a  spirit ;  for  the  more 
mental  our  worship,  the  more  adequate  to  the  nature  of  God;  the  more  sileni, 
the  more  suitable  to  the  language  of  a  spirit. — Wm.  Pbnn. 


Eleventh  Month  20.]       BAILY    KEADINGS.  333 

"  But  thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jeena 
Christ."— Cor.  xv.  57. 

WHY  shouldst  thou  be  ready  to  lay  down  thy  arms 
and  retreat  from  the  field  ?  It  is  a  noble  cause 
we  have  embarked  in,  and  there  is  no  doubt  of  victory  if 
we  humbly  and  industriously  follow  our  holy  Captain, 
seeing  that  it  is  decreed  that  He  and  His  followers  shall 
have  the  victory.  It  is  a  time  of  sufferings  and  I  look  for 
little  else.  Can  we  expect  to  reign  where  the  Master 
does  not  reign  9     *     *     * 

May  thou  and  I  persevere  in  faithfulness  through  all  our 
buffitings,  tossings  and  afflictions,  so  that  we  may  be 
favored  with  a  safe  landing  at  last  on  that  peaceful  shore 
where  all  sorrow  will  cease,  and  temptations  will  have  an 
end,  and  where  our  wearied  spirits  will  be  for  ever  at  rest. 
These  aspirations  I  am  in  a  degree  brought  to  realize  after 
a  lapse  of  more  than  half  a  century. 

May  the  dear  youths  who  have  been  enamored  with  the 
brightness  of  Divine  power  arising  in  their  hearts  "  keep 
humbly  their  solemn  feasts  and  faithfully  perform  all 
their  vows."  May  the  "  north,"  through  the  softening  in- 
fluence of  holy  animating  love  and  life,  be  prevailed 
upon  during  the  day  of  offered  mercy  to  "  give  up,"  and 
the  "  south,"  in  a  state  of  faithful  obedience  to  the  Divine 
Avill,  ''  keep  nothing  back,"  is  my  humble  prayer.  Then 
will  your  light  go  forth  with  encouraging  brightness,  and 
the  clothing  of  Divine  salvation  on  all  the  different  classes 
in  the  family  be  conspicuously  clear,  "  as  a  lamp  that 
l)urneth." — Rebecca  Jones^  1788. 


334  DAILY    READINGS.        [Elevknth  Month  30, 

"  In  the  morning  it  flourislietli,  and  groweth  up  ;  in  the  evening  it  is  cut  down, 
and  withcreth." — Psalm  xc.  6. 

I  SELDOM  contemplate  the  life  and  writings  of  the 
apostle  Paul  but  with  a  mixture  of  wonder,  sympa- 
thy and  delight,  and  even  in  my  present  views  of  them 
am  ready  to  exclaim,  O !  Christianity !  how  do  thy  realities 
exceed  the  very  fictions  of  romance !  Thou  art  indeed 
the  potent  alchymist,  who  changest  human  rock-work 
into  man ;  nor  dost  thou  stop  here,  but  after  having  thus 
converted  him,  by  a  further  transmutation,  j^eculiarly  thy 
own,  thou  refinest  him  as  silver  is  refined,  and  triest  him 
as  gold  is  tried,  until,  as  the  operations  of  thy  furnace 
are  submitted  to,  he  at  length  cometh  forth  more  pure 
than  fine  gold,  yea  than  the  golden  wedge  of  Ophir. 

I  stopped  over  first-day  at  Downham  to  my  satisfaction, 
though  the  family  in  which  I  passed  most  of  my  time 
was  in  a  state  of  mourning.  Poor  J.  D.  appeared  to  me 
quite  in  the  latter  stage  of  life.  To  behold  a  fine  young 
man,  in  defiance  of  human  efibrts,  encircled  by  whom  he 
is  tenderly  beloved,  thus  gradually  declining,  was  truly 
affecting ;  and  I  never  was  more  struck  with  the  force  of 
those  Scriptural  figures  which  compare  frail  humanity  tc 
withering  grass,  fading  flowers,  or  a  vapor  that  appear 
eth  for  a  little  while  and  then  vanisheth  away,  etc.  O, 
Time !  if  thou  wert  all,  if  our  hopes  and  our  prospects 
ended  with  thee,  then  might  we  sink  into  utter  dismay. 
But  thanks  be  to  God,  tliis  is  not  our  unhappy  case.— 
Jhndthan  HiiZchin^on^  1824. 


Twelfth  Month  1.] 


DAILY    EEADINGS.  335 


"  Now  the  c\!y  was  large  and  great ;  tut  the  people  were  few  therein,  and 
the  houses  wox-w  uOt  builded."— Neh.  vii.  4. 

"TXTIIO  can  calculate,  who  can  appreciate  the  value  to 
Y  V  postciity  of  such  a  man  as  William  Penn. 
Had  ambition  fired  a  Caesar  to  come  and  conquer  an- 
other world — Lad  madness  touched  a  Napoleon  to  reacli 
forth  over  our  shores  the  truncheon  of  absolute  command, 
how  different,  how  widely  different,  would  have  been  the 
issue!  But  the  Quaker  came — the  gentle,  unadorned, 
imaspiring  Quaker,  who,  turning  from  the  gaudy  trap- 
pings of  a  monarchy,  from  a  land  where  those  of  his  faith 
found  no  resting  place,  sought,  in  the  wilds  of  Western 
America,  a  refuge,  and  a  home.  He  came,  and  the  un- 
tutored Indian  saw  not  the  insignia  of  the  warrior,  heard 
not  the  words  of  the  conqueror,  but  they  beheld  clad  in 
the  simplest,  a  form  of  majestic  part,  a  brow  whereupon 
seemed  stantped  the  law  of  kindness.  And  he  stood 
there  in  their  very  midst — the  spot  was  nature's  own, — 
the  only  auditors  the  untutored  children  of  the  forest, — 
and  yet  here  was  formed  a  treaty  such  as  Christendom 
never  saw,  such,  as  Prince  and  Potentate  might  come  and 
look  upon — a  treaty  ratified  without  an  oath !  Pointless 
were  the  arrows  of  the  red  man,  hushed  was  the  voice 
of  the  Indian,  as  they  listened  to  his  words  of  truth  and 
soberness.  Years  have  rolled  over  us  since  that  memor- 
able day,  lost  is  the  trace  of  the  savage,  and  felled  the  lofty 
elm  under  which  they  stood ;  but  the  government  then 
and  there  formed,  resting  on  the  two  great  columns  of  re- 
ligion and  virtue,  still  exists. — M  iVI 


336  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Twelfth  Mokth  2. 


"Give  unto  the  Lord  the  glory  due  unto  His  name:    bring  an  offering  and 
come  before  Him:  worship  the  Lord  in  beauty  of  holiness/'— 1  Chron.  xvi.  29. 

WERE  the  inquiry  addressed  to  me,  what  is  the 
first  and  most  essential  qualification  for  a  right 
and  spiritual  worship  of  the  Almighty,  for  such  a  wor- 
ship as  w^ould  at  once  edify  the  creature  and  glorify  the 
Creator,  I  should  feel  but  little  hesitation  in  replying, 
A  deep  humiliation  and  subjection  of  soul  before  the  Di- 
vine Majesty.  True  worship  may  often  be  properly  ex- 
pressed by  the  services  of  the  life ;  but  it  is,  in  itself,  the 
homage  which  the  soul  offers  to  its  Maker ;  it  is  the  rev- 
erential communion  of  man  with  his  God.  Now  this  hom- 
age can  never  be  acceptably  offered ;  this  communion 
can  never  take  place  in  a  right  or  perfect  manner,  until 
the  mind  of  the  worshipper  is  made  in  some  degree  sensible 
of  the  real  relative  situation  of  the  two  parties  concerned 
— of  himself  and  his  God.  The  worshipper  is  the  crea- 
ture ;  the  object  of  his  worship  is  the  Creator.  The  for- 
mer is  finite,  ignorant,  w^eak,  and  helpless ;  the  latter  is 
omniscient,  eternal  and  omnipotent.  The  former,  with- 
out grace,  is  fallen,  sinful,  and  corrupt ;  the  latter  is  of 
"  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity.  The  former  is  ca- 
pable of  receiving  either  wrath  or  misery ;  the  latter  is 
able  either  to  punish  or  to  forgive.     *     *     * 

In  order,  therefore,  to  make  acceptable  approaches  in 
s[urit  to  the  Almighty,  it  is  abundantly  evident  that  man 
ought  to  be  humble. — J.  J.  Gumey, 


Twelfth  Month  3.]  DAILY   READINGS.  337 

"  The  young  lions  do  lack,  and  suffer  hunger  ;  but  they  that  seek  the  Lord 
shall  not  want  any  good  thing."— P?alni  xxxiv.  10. 

MY  children  are  all  subjects  of  joy  and  gratitude 
to  me ;  I  pray  that  thou  and  thy  husband 
maybe  graciously  preserved  objects  of  Divine  mercy  and 
Favor— that  ye  may  ever  dwell  in  the  lowly  valley,  where 
the  dew  lies  long,  and  there  gather  the  fresh  manna  in 
your  own  vessels,  little  or  much,  according  to  your  meas- 
ures; if  it  be  but  little,  if  it  be  of  the  right  kind,  it  will 
suffice ;  no  lack  will  be  experienced.  They  that  wait  on 
the  Lord  will  want  no  good  thing.  One  grain  of  gold  is 
better  than  a  great  deal  of  baser  metal. 

I  am  sensible,  my  child,  that  the  God  of  thy  ancestors 
has  visited  thee  ;  be  thou,  therefore,  humbled  in  soul  be- 
fore him,  and  dedicated  and  devoted,  in  all  thy  faculties, 
to  his  service.  Say  not  to  the  heavenly  visitation,  "  Hith- 
erto shalt  thou  come,  and  no  further ;  and  here  shall  thy 
waves  be  staid ;"  but  consign  and  resign  thyself  to  the 
disposal  of  Him  who  knows  best  what  is  best  for  us,  and 
will  best  answer  His  gracious  purposes  respecting  us. 
Our  great  loss  is,  in  that  we  are  apt  to  be  cutting  and 
carving  for  ourselves ;  and  so,  taking  out  of  the  Creel- 
tor's  hand,  (who  made  the  world  out  of  nothing,)  we  be- 
come as  vessels  marred  upon  the  potter's  wheel.  The 
symmetry  of  the  parts  of  the  inward  man,  all  its  texture, 
and  fabric,  and  features,  would  be  right,  and  good,  and 
proper,  and  the  beauty  of  holiness  conspicuous,  if  we  left 
ourselves  to  be  fashioned  entirely  according  to  the  Di- 
vine ^\\\.—Tiichard  ShacJdeton,  1784. 


33S  DAILY   READIXGS.  [Twelfth  Month  4. 


"  If  the  good  man  of  the  house  had  known  in  what  watch  the  thief  would 
come,  he  would  have  watched."— Matt.  xxiv.  43. 

IN  the  noise  and  glare  of  a  worldly  life,  how  many 
false  motives,  how  many  erroneous  opinions,  may 
steal  in  and  out  of  the  heart  unnoticed,  and  shape  them- 
selves  into  action,  and  express  themselves  in  words  con- 
trary to  the  spirit  of  upright,  self-denying  religion,  with 
an  influence  so  silent  and  unobtrusive,  that  the  individu- 
al is  not  aware  of  the  deadening  process  going  on  within 
him.  Business,  just  and  lawful,  necessary  business, 
comes  first,  with  its  imperative  claims  upon  the  mass 
of  his  time,  and  the  main  strength  of  his  mind ;  recrea- 
tion follows,  and  with  the  same  plea  of  necessity,  tithes 
the  remaining  portion ;  physical  nature,  wearied,  want- 
ing, overtasked  nature,  brings  up  the  rear,  and  demands 
all  that  remains,  with  an  urgency  not  to  be  parried  or  set 
aside.  Such  is  the  tread-mill  round  ;  to  such  the  inces- 
sant surrender  of  time,  thought,  and  strength,  to  busi- 
ness, pleasure,  and  physical  retirement ! — and  there  re- 
mains nothing  for  God  ;  nothing  even  for  self,  in  the  best 
sense,  till  sickness  comes,  or  till  death  suddenly  stalks  in, 
breaks,  like  a  giant,  the  bands  that  have  fettered  the  soul 
to  earth,  brings  the  struggling  captive  into  the  presence  of 
its  Maker,  teaches  in  a  moment,  and  with  an  energy  not 
to  be  gainsayed,  that  one  forgotten  necessary  was,  to 
learn  to  die;  that  if  many  things  were  expedient,  one 
was  emphatically  "needful;''  if  many  good,  one  was 
chief  good,  without  which  all  else  exerted  an  ensnaring 
and  destroying  influence. — Maria  I.  Jewsbury. 


Twelfth  Month  5.] 


DAILY   READINGS.  339 


"  I  have  written  unto  you,  young  men,  because  ye  are  strong,  and  the  word 
of  God  abideth  in  you,  and  ye  have  overcome  the  wicked  one."— 1  John  ii.  14. 

THERE  is  one  class  amongst  us  to  which  the  com- 
piler would  particularly  recommend  the  perusal  of 
this  memoir, — the  Yotjistg  Men.*  .  Surely  they  may  see  in 
the  early  dedication,  and  the  steady  perseverance  of  this 
faithful  youth,  a  stimulus  to  increased  exertion  in  the 
cause  of  truth  and  righteousness,  if  hajjpily  they  have 
already  given  in  their  names  to  serve  in  the  Lamb's  war- 
fare. But,  are  there  not  those  who  may  here  read  a  re- 
proof for  their  lukewarmness  in  relation  to  the  holy  testi- 
monies for  which  James  Parnell,  through  divine  grace, 
was  made  willing  to  suffer,  even  unto  death  ?  Oh  !  may 
these  hear  the  reproof,  and  be  led  to  examine,  with  earnest 
desires  for  divine  guidance,  the  foundation  on  which  those 
testimonies  are  built.  It  is  believed  that  such  an  exam- 
ination, if  pursued  in  a  right  spirit,  would  lead  them  to 
the  undoubting  conclusion  that  our  early  Friends  did  not 
"  follow  cunningly  devised  fables,"  nor  suffer  for  the  r^ere 
opinions  and  notions  of  men,  but  that  they  were  tavght 
by  the  Spirit  principles  in  accordance  with  immutable 
truth — principles  which  appear  only  the  more  bright, 
the  more  fully  they  are  brought  to  the  searching  light 
of  the  Sun  of  righteousness. — Preface  to  Memoir  of 
James  Parnell^  first  martyr  among  Friends^  at  the  age  of 
18, 

*  Henry  Callaway. 


340  DAILY    READINGS.  [Ttntelfth  Month  6. 

"  Among  whom  are  ye  also  the  called  of  Jesus  Christ."— Romans  i.  6. 

MY  heart  from  my  childhood  was  pointed  toward 
the  Lord,  whom  I  feared  and  longed  after  from 
my  tender  years ;  wherein  I  felt  that  I  could  not  be  sat- 
isfied with,  nor  indeed  seek  after,  the  things  of  this  per- 
ishing world,  which  naturally  pass  away ;  but  I  desired 
true  sense  and  unity  with  that  which  abideth  for  ever. 
There  was  somewhat,  indeed,  still  within  me,  even  the 
seed  of  eternity,  which  leavened  and  balanced  my  spirit 
almost  continually ;  but  I  knew  it  not  distinctly,  so  as  to 
turn  to  it,  and  give  up  to  it,  entirely  and  understandingly. 
In  this  temper  of  mind,  I  earnestly  sought  after  the 
Lord,  applying  myself  to  hear  sermons,  and  read  the  best 
books  I  conld  meet  with,  but  especially  the  Scriptures, 
which  were  very  sweet  and  savory  to  rae ;  yea,  I  very 
earnestly  desired  and  pressed  after  the  knowledge  of  the 
Scriptures,  but  was  much  afi'aid  of  receiving  men's  inter- 
pretations af  them,  or  of  fastening  any  interpretations  of 
them  myself;  but  waited  much  and  prayed  much,  that 
from  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  I  might  receive  the  true  under- 
standing of  them,  and  that  he  would  chiefly  indue  me  with 
that  knowledge  which  I  feel  sanctifying  and  saving. — 
4e  *  4«  «  4c  Q.Q(j  himself  gave  forth  the  sound,  and 
great  hath  been  the  company  of  them  that  published  it ;. 
and  our  ears  and  hearts  were  opened  by  the  Lord  to  hear 
ilie  sound  and  know  the  Shepherd's  voice, — Isaac  Pen- 


rwEM-TH  Month  7.]  DAILY  READINGS.  341 

"  In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word  was  with  God,  and  the 
Word  was  God."— John  1. 1. 

THE  Word  of  God  was  in  the  beginning,  before  any 
creatures  were  made,  and  by  it  all  things  stand 
and  remain  unto  this  day. 

The  Word  endures  for  ever,  and  by  it  all  things  in 
heaven  and  in  earth  are  brought  to  pass  which  God  doth. 
It  is  fix)m  everlasting,  without  beginning  and  without  end. 
It  is  powerful,  dividing  and  discerning  all  things,  even 
the  secret  thoughts  of  every  man's  heart.  It  is  as  a  two- 
edged  sword,  and  as  a  fire,  and  like  a  hammer,  to  cut  up^ 
to  burn,  and  to  beat  down.  The  Word  of  the  Lord  recon- 
ciles man  agiiin  to  Him,  and  His  Word  is  in  the  mouth 
and  in  tlie  heart.  The  servants  of  the  Lord  handled,  tast- 
ed, saw  and  felt  the  Word  of  Life,  and  from  it  spoke  forth 
the  Scriptures,  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
through  the  Eternal  Spirit.  They  are  a  declaration  of 
the  Word  of  Life,  which  was  in  the  beginning  and  en- 
dures for  ever,  and  declare  what  the  saints  received,  be- 
lieved, and  enjoyed.  None  can  understand  without  the 
same  Spirit  that  gave  them  forth,  and  to  such  who  have 
the  same  Spirit,  the  Scripture  is  profitable.     *     *     * 

But  many  have  the  Scriptures  that  have  not  the  Word, 
neither  know  it ;  but  they  that  have  the  Word  cannot 
but  own  the  Scriptures,  and  this  is  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus,  testified  to  all  the  world  by  us,  who  deny  them 
that  hereof  give  any  other  testimony. — Edward  Bur- 
rough^  London,  16G7. 


342  DAILY  READINGS.  [TwiiLrrn  MaNTH  fc 

"  If  ye  have  faith  as  a  grain  of  mustard  seed,  ye  shall  say  unto  this  moaiitain, 
remove  hence  to  yonder  place,  and  it  shall  remove ;  and  nothing  shall  be  impos- 
sible unto  you."— Matt.  xvii.  20. 

I  HAVE  felt  a  satisfaction  in  it  that  is  as  a  token  for 
good,  which  has  never  yet  deceived  me,  and  is  cause 
for  much  thankfulness,  and  also  watchfulness,  that  we  rest 
not  in  such  things.  Oh  1  what  pains  and  trouble  I 
might  have  spared  myself,  had  I  acted  up  to  my  first  clear 
impression  on  the  subject.  Child  in  religious  experience 
and  in  knowledge  of  life  1  if  ever  thou  readest  this,  let  me 
counsel  thee,  without  being  enthusiastic,  not  to  throw 
away  clear  impressions,  even  with  regard  to  the  afifairs  of 
this  world — affaii*s  in  which  the  worldly-wise,  and  per- 
haps even  some  of  the  good,  may  say  faith  h*as  nothing  to 
do.  But  I  believe  it  often  has  to  do  with  little  things ;  for 
as  the  foolishness  of  God  is  wiser  than  the  wisdom  of 
men,  so  He  who  can  see  present  and  future  at  one  glance 
may  well  see  on  what  apparently  trifling  or  indifferent 
things  hangs  much  that  is  of  great  importance  to  his  weak 
creature  man.  "  In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  Him,  and 
He  shall  direct  thy  paths." 

On  First  and  Second  day,  my  mind  enjoyed  a  liberty, 
and  something  of  the  light  of  the  glorious  gospel  which  I 
often  pant  after.  In  each  a  religious  engagement  seemed 
peculiarly  blessed  to  myself.  The  powers  of  the  world  to 
come — what  an  infant  I  am  in  the  knowledge  of  them  ! 
However,  I  believe  it  is  now  honestly  all  my  desire, 
all  my  request,  that  I  may  have  the  direction  of  pure 
wisdom  in  everything. — Hannah  C.  Backhouse,  1825. 


Twelfth  Month  9.] 


DAILY    READINGS.  343 


"  We  must  through  much  tribulation  enter  the  kingdom  of  God.'"— Acts  xiv. 
22. 

TEN  years  had  elapsed  from  the  tirae  when  Elizabetlj 
Dudley's  sister  Charlotte,  then  in  her  twenty-hrst 
year,  had  awaked  to  the  consciousness  of  her  moral  respon- 
sibilities. During  this  interval  she  had,  so  to  speak,  lived 
on  the  border  of  the  good  land  of  j^romise  ;  and,  wanting 
faith  to  enter  the  heart  of  the  country,  she  had  in  conse- 
quence partaken  but  sparingly  of  its  good  fruits  of  peace 
and  plenty.  The  happy  effects  of  divine  convictions, 
though  for  a  time  apparent,  were  again  counteracted  by 
sublunary  objects,  and  whilst  she  esteemed  religion  as  the 
one  thing  needful,  she  tried  to  attain  its  possession  in  an 
easier  way  than  by  taking  up  the  cross  to  her  natural 
inclination. 

This  attempt  was  the  source  of  much  mental  conflict 
for  above  ten  years ;  and  when  apparently  in  the  midst 
of  cheerfulness  and  enjoyment,  and  even  spending  her 
time  in  works  of  charity,  her  soul  was  distressed  and 
sorrowful,  moaning  over  its  state  of  bondage  and  the 
absence  of  peace  which,  to  use  her  own  words,  "  she  had 
willfully  relinquished  for  the  sinful  trifles  of  time." 

The  struggle  between  her  own  Avill  and  her  sense  of 
the  divine  command,  seems  to  have  reached  its  lieight  in 
the  autumn  of  this  year,  1817.  During  her  last  illness 
she  adverted  to  this  j^eriod  of  trial,  and  said  she  went  at 
that  time  from  one  place  of  worship  to  another,  seeking 
to  find  an  easier  path  than  that  which  she  felt  to  be  the 
path  of  duty. —  Charles  Taylor,  1818. 


344:  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Twelfth  Month  10. 


"  But  thou,  when  thou  prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and  when  thou  hast  shut 
thy  door,  pray  to  thy  Father  which  is  in  secret ;  and  thy  Father  which  seeth  in 
«ecret  shall  reward  thee  openly."—  Matthew  vi.  6. 

TKE  blessing  of  health  again  shines  upon  our  dwell- 
ing, and  this  morning  all  tlie  individuals  of  our 
family  assembled  with  those  who  profess  to  follow  Jesus, 
and  worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  Profession,  empty 
sounds  !  the  shadow  without  the  substance  I  Born  and 
educated  amongst  those  who  profess  the  name  of  Christ, 
the  child  of  believing  parents,  and  as  such  surrounded  by 
most  valuable  privileges,  I  have  yet  lived  without  God 
in  the  world  for  twenty  years.  Miserably  infatuated  by 
the  transitory  enjoyments  of  time  and  sense,  and  too  ten- 
derly attached  to  the  objects  of  my  affection,  my  heart  has 
hitherto  excluded  the  Heavenly  Visitor,  to  whose  service 
it  should  be  humbly  dedicated,  and  by  whom  alone  it 
should  be  engaged. 

Alone  in  my  chamber,  secure  from  human  observation,  I 
may,  perhaps,  without  imj^lication  of  a  hypocrite,  pros- 
trate myself  before  the  Throne  of  Grace,  and  as  an  humble 
penitent,  renouncing  all  hope  but  in  a  mercy  free,  unmer- 
ited, and  infinite,  acknoAvledging  the  sinfulness  of  my  past 
life,  and,  trusting  solely  in  my  Redeemer's  righteousness, 
implore  the  divine  blessing  upon  the  fervent  and  sincere- 
desires  of  a  heart  but  newly  awakened  to  a  sense  of  sin- 
ful misery.  Author  and  guardian  of  my  life,  hear,  in 
mercy  hear,  the  language  of  supplication  breathed  from 
lips  too  long  a  stranger  to  prayer. —  Charlotte  Dudley^ 
Clonmel,  Ireland,  1807. 


Twelfth  Month  11.] 


DAILY   EEADINGS.  345 


"  Though  I  ppeak  with  the  tongues  of  man  and  of  angels,  and  have  not  charity, 
I  am  become  as  sounding  brass,  or  a  tinlding  cymbal.'  —1  Cor.  xiii,  1. 


THIS  day  I  complete  my  thirty-eighth  year.  A  large 
proportion  of  my  life  is  now  passed  over;  and  if 
the  blessing  pronounced  by  my  dear  mother,  as  she  affec- 
tionately embraced  me  this  morning,  be  but  bestowed,  it 
will  be  a  favor  indeed.  Faith,  love,  and  obedience  cer- 
tainly ought  to  grow  in  a  soil  where  so  much  cultivation 
has  beefi  bestowed ;  but  I  never  remember  a  period  when 
I  felt  so  little  capable  of  ascertaining  my  spiritual  condi- 
tion or  understanding,  whether  I  am  advancing  in  the 
divine  life,  or  losing  ground.  I  wonder  how  it  is  I  should 
be  so  frequently  engaged  to  minister  to  and  pray  for 
others,  even  at  times  enforcing  the  necessity  of  that  self 
examination  which,  on  my  part,  seems  unavailing.  *  * 
It  is  interesting  to  see  real,  heartfelt  religion  flourish 
amidst  the  shades  of  difference  wliich  outwardly  distin- 
guish professing  Cliristians;  and  I  believe  more  frequent 
intercourse  among  the  sjnritually-mmdiQdi  of  all  denomi- 
nations would  increase  our  toleration  for  each  other,  by 
bringing  under  the  influence  of  that  charity  Avhich  "  seek- 
eth  not  her  own,"  but  "rejoiceth  in  tlie  truth,"  Avlierever 
found. 

Yet  it  requires  caution  on  the  part  of  those  who  may 
not  be  fully  established  in  our  principles,  in  mingling 
with  such  as  may  lead  to  a  greater  dependence  upon  the 
"outward  and  visible  signs"  than  is  seen  to  be  needful 
where  the"  inward  and  spiritual  grace"  is  allowed  to 
operate. — Elizabeth  Dudley^,  1817. 


"^^  ^^^I^^'    HEADINGS.  [Twelfth  Month  12. 


"  Mercy  and  tnith  are  met  together ;   righteousness  and  peace  have  kissed 
each  other."— Psalm  Ixxxv.  10. 


THE  mercy  of  God  is  indeed  inexpressibly  great  to 
us  poor  creatures,  and  humility,  gratitude  and 
I'ear  ought  to  be  our  clothing,  under  the  signal  display 
of  His  kindness  in  sparing  us  this  summer  from  the  yellow 
fever,  about  which  my  fellow  citizens  were  greatly  intim- 
idated in  the  time  of  its  usual  approach.  May  my  soul 
for  ever  bear  in  mind  the  Lord's  goodness  to  me,  a  poor 
unworthy  creature,  in  raising  me  again  from  the  bed  of 
languishing  under  that  sore  disease,  in  the  year  1793. 
Just  eleven  years  ago,  was  I  seized  therewith. 

Many  of  the  contemporaries  of  my  youth  being  by 
death  and  otherwise  removed,  I  seem  stript  and  lonely, 
and  feel  in  no  inclination  to  begin  a  new  circle,  so  that 
with  regret  I  shall  pass  with  any  more  of  the  few  who 
remain,  with  whom  I  have  been  united  in  the  bonds  of 
Christian  fellowship,  drinking  together  at  the  one  inex- 
haustible fountain  of  love  and  life. 

« 

That  I  am  spared, another  year  is  indeed  marvelous 
in  my  eyes.  O  Lord,  my  God !  be  graciously  pleased  to 
look  down  with  an  eye  of  compassion  upon  me,  now  in 
my  declining  years,  even  as  Thou,  in  Thy  adorable  good- 
ness and  mercy,  didst  in  the  days  of  my  youth,  when 
but  sixteen  years  of  age.  Thy  gracious  visitations  of  par- 
doning love,  grace  and  salvation  plucked  my  soul  as  a 
brand  from  the  burning,  cast  a  mantle  of  forgiveness 
and  mercy  over  me,  and  with  a  powerful  voice  said  unto 
me,  LIVE. — Mebecca  Jones,  1805. 


Tu-ELFTH  Month  13.]  DAILY   READINGS.  347 

"And  the  publican,  standing  afar  off,  would  not  lift  up  po  much  as  his  eyes 
uuto  heaven,  hut  smote  upon  his  breast,  saying,  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sin- 
ner."—Luke  xviii.  13. 

OlSr  a  view  of  the  weakness  and  corruption  of  human 
nature,  abstractedly  considered,  my  poor  mind 
has  at  seasons  been  brought  to  the  border  of  despair,  so 
that  I  have  even  been  almost  discouraged  from  lifting 
up  either  my  eyes  or  my  hands  towards  heaven  by  a 
fear  of  hypocrisy,  and  under  a  solemn  consideration 
that  the  very  thought  of  the  wicked  are  an  abomination 
to  the  Lord.  Yet  when  by  the  humbling  process  I  have 
become  so  far  reduced  as  to  prostrate  myself  at  the  foot- 
stool of  Divine  mercy,  as  a  helpless  sinner,  my  plea, 
thougli  ofttimes  a  silent  one,  has  not  been  rejected  by 
the  sinner's  Friend.  "  He  will  regard  the  prayer  of  the 
destitute,  and  not  despise  their  prayer."  He  has  had 
compassion  on  me,  and,  blessed  be  His  holy  name,  has 
raised  the  beggar  from  the  dunghill,  and  permitted  me 
to  live  again  in  His  sight.  And  let  not  such  an  ex- 
perience as  this  appear  strange  to  the  reader,  seeing 
no  man  can  keep  alive  (unto  God)  his  own  soul. 

As  the  bullock  unaccustomed  to  the  yoke  is  generally 
impatient  at  its  being  laid  upon  him,  so  man  under  the 
early  visitations  of  affliction,  on  the  first  restraints  of 
the  cross,  is  uneasy  at  their  weight,  and  reluctant  to  bear 
them. — Jonathan  Hutchinson^  1828. 

Be  not  fond,  therclore,  of  praise  ;  but  seek  virtue  that  leads  to  it. 


348  ,  DAILY   READINGS.  [Twelfth  Month  14 

•*  For  behold  I  create  new  heavens,  and  a  new  earth  ;  and  the  former  shall 
aot  be  remembered,  nor  come  into  mind."— Isa.  Ixv.  17. 

FOR  nothing  can  regenerate,  but  that  which  made ; 
nor  renew,  but  that  wliicli  created ;  and  as  the 
heavens  are  nobler  tlian  the  earth,  so  is  the  soul  than  the 
body ;  renovation  and  redemption,  than  our  former  life. 

This,  reader,  thou  slialt  come  to  know  to  be  true  as 
any  demonstration  that  can  be  made  to  thy  outward 
senses,  if  thou  wilt  but  turn  in  thy  mind  to  this  Teacher, 
and  wilt  become  the  humble  scholar  of  this  divine  Mas- 
ter, and  learn  of  Him  in  true  silence  and  with  diligence. 

Ponder  what  I  say.  Would st  thou  know  God,  and  be 
fitted  for  his  heavenly  mansions,  seek  him  in  his  image 
and  thou  wilt  know  the  original  by  it.  Be  thou  but  as  clay  in 
the  hands  of  the  potter,  pliable,  and  he  will  form  and  fash- 
ion thee  aright.  He  will  make  thee  a  vessel  of  honor  for 
his  own  house  and  use;  and  by  the  self-denial,  love, 
purity,  patience,  righteousness,  etc.,  that  He  will  work  in 
thee,  or  work  thee  into,  thou  shalt  be  able  to  pronounce 
truly  and  knowingly  God  is,  and  He  is,  a  rewarder  of  them 
that  fear  Him.  Surely  there  is  a  God  in  all  the  earth. 
Then  will  tliou  be  able  to  say  with  holy  David  and  Mary : 
O,  my  soul,  bless  the  Lord,  and  all  that  is  within  me 
praise  His  licly  name.  My  soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord,  and 
my  spirit  rejoiceth  in  God  my  Saviour. — liohert  Barclay. 

Bringing  nothing  for  the  payment, 
When  I  came  for  change  of  raiment, 
He  did  clothe  me. 
.  _:  —Jane  Crewdson. 


ISvEij-TH  Month  15.]  DAILY   KEADINGS.  349 

"  Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  Ic  t  my  last  end  be  lilce  his.'*— 
Nnmbers  xxiii.  10. 

IT  was  a  beautiful  bright  day  of  sunshine,  when  his  fa- 
vorite green  Gedney  looked  greener  than  usual, 
that  my  late  dear  Avife  and  myself  attended  the  funeral 
of  Jonathan  Hutchinson.  A  great  many  friends  were 
convened  from  different  places,  and  the  villagers  of  the 
place  and  neighborhood  flocked  in  large  numbers,  and  in 
their  most  decent  dresses,  to  pay  their  last  token  of  re- 
spect to  "  the  best  man  of  Gedney."  "  So  the  best  man 
in  Gedney  is  gone,"  said  one  poor  laborer  to  another. 
"  AVhat !  "  said  the  other,  "  is  Mr.  Hutchinson  dead  ?  "  His 
remams  were  deposited  in  a  little  family  burying-ground, 
not  veiy  far  from  his  own  house,  where  his  respectable 
though  not  wealthy  predecessors  had  been  laid  in  their 
turns  duiing  several  generations.     *     *     * 

Indeed,  it  was  truly  remarkable  with  what  skill  this 
ardent  and  almost  poetic  lover  of  nature  had  contrived 
to  adorn,  by  judicious  planting,  the  small  estate  of  rich 
pasture  land  which  he  inherited  from  his  ancestors,  who 
had  possessed  and  occupied  the  same  little  farm  as  he  did, 
for  the  period,  as  I  understand,  of  above  200  years,  never 
rising  above  or  falling  below  the  rank  of  reputable  yeo 
men,  and,  since  the  rise  of  Friends,  members  of  that  re- 
ligious society. 

The  good  man  was  gone.  The  meek,  kind,  humble,  gen- 
erous neighbor  was  no  more,  and  many  were  they  of  every 
description  who  seemed  ready  to  rally  round  his  grave  in 
the  remembrance  of  his  virtues. — J.  J.  Giirney,  1835. 


350  DAILY    READINGS. 


[Twelfth  Month  16. 


"  They  that  obey  lying  vanities  forsake  their  own  mercy."— Jonah  ii.  8. 

AFTER  endeavoring  to  do  the  best  we  can  in  pro- 
viding for,  educating,  and  placing  them  out,  we 
must  leave  our  children  to  the  Lord  and  their  own  con- 
duct, as  after  all  our  labors,  and  with  the  Divine  blessing 
upon  these  labors,  they  may  if  they  will,  as  some  unhap- 
pily do,  forsake  their  own  mercies,  and  pursue  a  wrong 
course.  Yet  this  consideration  does  not  supercede  the 
discharge  of  parental  duty;  but  it  should,  I  think,  tend 
to  lessen  unprofitable  solicitude  and  vain  anticipations 
of  things,  that  may  or  may  not  ever  happen,  and  whether 
they  do  or  not,  are  quite  beyond  our  control.  So  that 
after  doing,  more  than  thinking,  what  we  can  for  our  be- 
loved offspring,  as  every  pious  parent  is  concerned  to 
do,  commending  them  to  the  care  of  IsraePs  unslumber- 
ing  Shepherd,  there  to  their  own  determination  we  must 
finally  leave  them.     *     *     * 

Strong  and  lively  impressions  are  often  made  by  a  very 
few  words,  so  that  if  we  know  how  to  extract  it,  we  shall 
sometimes  find  the  essence  of  long  letters,  long  dis 
courses,  and  large  volumes,  is  comprised  in  a  very  small 
portion  of  it.  Having  been  helped  hitherto,  let  us  be  thank 
ful  for  mercies  past,  and  humbly  hope  for  more ;  rejoic- 
ing, if  we  can,  in  our  present  lot,  and  in  everything  giv- 
ing thanks.  This  may  be,  and  I  believe  often  is,  a  difficult 
attainment ;  yet  it  is  not  impossible,  through  the  aid  of 
Him  who  is  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities. — 
Jonathan  Hutchinson^  1825, 


Twelfth  Month  17.]  DAILY  READINGS. 


351 


"  Enter  not  into  the  path  of  the  wicked,  and  go  not  in  the  way  of  evil  men,"— 
Prov.  iv.  14. 

MAY  it  afford  a  ray  of  encouragement  to  some 
poor  weary  traveler  like  myself,  should  these 
fragments  be  cast  before  the  public,  to  show  forth  the 
Lord's  wonderful  dealings,  his  merciful  interference  to- 
wards me,  in  times  of  sore  trial  and  conflict,  both  inward- 
ly and  outwardly. 

My  parents  were  members  of  the  national  church,  and 
zealously  engaged  to  bring  up  their  children  in  the  due 
observance  of  its  religious  rites  and  ceremonies,  and  eve- 
ry moral  duty.  About  the  12th  year  of  my  age  ray  father 
was  induced  to  take  the  Three  Tuns  public  house  at 
Islington,  and  move  there  with  his  family.  This  change 
exposed,  me  to  great  temptations.  Being  naturally  of  a 
volatile  disposition,  and  early  given  to  folly  and  vanity, 
now  I  was  exposed  to  all  sorts  of  company,  both  by  day 
and  late  in  the  evening,  carrying  out  beer  to  the  customers, 
and  gathering  in  the  pots.  First-days  were  generally  the 
most  busy  days  I  had,  being  scarcely  ever  able  to  get  to 
any  place  of  worship.  This,  by  long  continued  neglect, 
became  a  matter  of  the  greatest  indifference  to  me ;  and 
my  exposed  situation  in  my  father's  family,  open  to  al- 
most every  vice,  had  nearly  effected  my  ruin.  My  father 
being  unacquainted  with  this  business,  and  of  an  easy  dis- 
position, by  lending  his  property  and  other  means,  wast- 
ed what  substance  he  had,  and  was  obliged  to  quit  this 
line  of  life. — Thomas  Shillitoe,  1766. 


352  DAILY   KEADINGS.  [Twelfth  Mokth  18 

"  Can  two  walk  together  except  they  be  agreed  ?"— Amos  iii.  3. 

MY  new  companion  took  me  to  the  most  fashionable 
tea-gardens  and  other  places  of  public  resort. 
This  led  me  to  give  greater  latitude  than  ever  to  my 
natural  inclination.  Still  I  continued  to  attend  Friends' 
meetings  on  First-day  morning,  but  spent  the  remainder 
of  the  day  in  pleasure.  The  retrospect  did  not  produce 
those  comfortable  feelings  which  I  wished.     *     *     * 

Feeling  a  decided  preference  to  the  meetings  of 
Friends,  I  continued  my  attendance ;  also  in  the  attendance 
of  afternoon  meetings.  The  more  faithfully  I  gave  up  to 
these  impressions  of  duty,  the  more  my  desires  increased  af 
ter  an  acquaintance  with  the  Almighty  and  the  knowledge 
of  His  ways.  Earnest  were  my  prayers,  that  in  this  day  of 
His  powerful  visitation,  in  mercy  renewed  to  my  soul.  He 
would  not  leave  me,  nor  suffer  me  to  become  a  prey  to 
my  soul's  adversary — that  His  hand  would  not  spare, 
nor  his  eye  pity,  until  an  entire  willingness  was  brought 
about  in  me  to  cast  myself  down  at  His  holy  foot-stool. 
As  resignation  was  thus  wrought  in  me,  to  yield  to  the 
purifying  operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  fire,  that 
the  fan  of  God's  word  and  power  should  effect  the 
necessary  separation  .between  the  precious  and  the  vile, 
corresponding  fruits  were  brought  forth  in  me,  and  mani- 
fested in  my  outward  conduct.  My  old  companion  con- 
sidered me  no  longer  a  fit  one  for  him,  and  our  intimacy 
ceased. —  Thomas  Shillitoe^  1767. 


Twelfth  Month  19.]  PAILY   KEADINGS.  353 

"Knowing  that  tribulation  wbrketh  patience,  and  patience  experience,  and 
experience  tiope."— Rom.  v.  3,  4. 

FRESH  trials  awaited  me.  The  knowledge  of  my 
attendance  at  Friends'  meetings  reached  the  ears 
of  my  parents,  who  manifested  great  displeasure.  My 
father  took  an  opportunity  to  dissuade  me  to  leave  the 
meetings  of  Friends,  laying  out  the  Society  in  as  un- 
favorable and  ridiculous  a  point  of  view  as  he  well  knew 
how.  Finding  his  argument  made  no  impression  on  my 
mind,  he  requested  I  would  go  with  him  on  the  next  first- 
day  to  the  chapel  of  Gray's  Inn  and  hear  their  chaplain. 
It  being  his  particular  request,  I  consented  and  attended ; 
but  my  conflict  was  so  great  when  there,  that  I  was 
ready  to  conclude  my  countenance  indicated  the  state  of 
my  mind,  and  that  all  eyes  were  upon  me.  From  this 
time  I  never  more  attended. 

But  my  difficulties  did  not  end  here,  as  respected  my 
parents,  whom  I  felt  an  increase  of  care  not  wilfully  to 
disoblige.     Wave  after  wave  arose  in  my  soul.     *     * 

*  *  *  If  I  gave  up  to  these  convictions  of  duty, 
my  conduct  to  his  customers  would  not  be  approved  by 
him.  Thus  the  spirit  was  willing,  but  the  flesh  was 
weak,  for  instead  of  seeking  that  Almighty  Power  for 
help,  who  I  was  fully  persuaded  laid 'the  necessity  upon 
me,  and  fii-raly  mantaining  my  ground  by  faithfulness,  I 
sunk  tinder  d'scouragement,  and  to  avoid  the  cross 
I  should  have  to  take  up  if  I  remained  where  I  was,  left 
my  situation  for  one  in  a  Friend's  family. — TJiomas  MU- 
litoe. 


354r  DAILY   KEADIXGS.  [Twklftii  Month  20 

"  Let  us  not  therefore  judge  one  another  any  more  :  but  judge  this  rathet, 
that  no  man  put  a  stumbling-block  or  an  occasion  to  fall  in  his  brother's  way," 
— Romans  xiv.  13. 

THE  great  error  of  mankind  in  advancing  themselves 
into  the  seat  of  judgment  over  another,  and  most 
commonly  in  things  wherein  they  have  no  evidence  or 
power,  contrary  to  the  doctrines  of  Christ,  and  his  prac- 
tice and  example ;  whereby  in  consequence  and  the  na- 
ture of  things,  they  detrude  him  from  liis'office,  and  usurp 
liis  throne,  who  said,  "Judge  not,  that  ye  be  not  judged  ; 
for  with  what  judgment  ye  judge  ye  shall  be  judged ;  and 
with  what  measure  ye  mete,  it  shall  be  measured  to  you 
again."  Even  w^here  there  may  be  some  seeming  appear- 
ance of  evil  upon  others,  we  are  cautioned  against  judg- 
ing without  knowledge  or  moral  certainty.  "  Judge  not 
to  the  appearance,  but  judge  righteous  judgment."  We 
ought  therefore  to  be  very  tender  and  cautious  in  this 
point,  lest  whilst  we  rashly  censure  others  without  ade- 
quate evidence,  we  bring  upon  ourselves  the  heavy 
stroke  of  the  righteous  judgment  of  God  for  our  false 
censure  of  the  innocent,  whom  the  Lord  hath  made  aiid 
preserved  of  his  own  good  will  and  pleasure.  For  as  all 
have  been  sinners,  though  not  in  the  same  manner,  as 
such  they  have  no  right  or  authority  to  judge  one  another. 
God  only,  who  knows  all  men  and  our  various  motives  to 
every  thought,  word,  and  deed,  can  judge  rightly  among 
us,  and  of  those  things  between  the  Lord  and  the  soul, 
and  award  ways  unto  all  adequate  to  every  state. — 
Thomas  Story,  died  1742. 


TUTKhTTU  Month  21.]         DAILY   READINGS.  355 

"  And  they  forsook  all  and  followed  Him."— Luke  v.  2. 

MY  mind  was  exercised  with  a  belief  that  if  I  con- 
tinue faithful  to  Divine  requirings,  a  gift  in  the 
ministry  would  be  committed  to  my  charge.  Earnest 
were  my  secret  cries,  in  meetings  and  out  of  meetings, 
for  Divine  preservation  in  the  awful  work ;  to  be  kept 
from  running  before  I  was  sent,  and  of  over-staying  the 
right  time  when  the  command  was  clearly  heard,  "  Go 
forth."  About  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  my  age  my 
mouth  was  first  opened  in  a  few  words,  at  a  meeting 
then  held  every  fifth-day  evening,  in  the  Park  meeting 
house.  O  !  the  peace  I  was  favored  to  feel,  and  which 
continued  for  some  time  ;  but  I  found  by  experience,  to 
my  great  sorrow,  that  satan  can  transform  himseK  into 
an  angel  of  light. 

About  the  year  1790  an  apprehension  took  hold  of  my 
mind  that  it  was  required  of  me  to  be  willing  to  leave 
my  family  and  outward  concerns,  to  engage  in  the  work 
of  the  Lord,  which,  if  I  gave  up  to,  would  take  me  a 
considerable  time  from  home.  This  was  a  fresh  trial  of 
my  faith  in  the  all-sufficiency  of  that  Power,  who,  when 
He  calls  forth,  cannot  only  qualify  for  the  work,  but  amply 
care  for  those  left  behind.  I  was  one  day  tempted  to 
the  conclusion  that,  let  the  consequences  be  what  they 
might,  I  must  give  up  all  prospect  of  ever  moving  in  this 
engagement ;  but  He  who  knew  the  sincerity  of  my  heart 
did  not  leave  me  in  this  season  of  extremity. — Thomas 
ShiUitoe,  1790. 


356  DAILY   KEADIXGS.  [Twelfth  Month  28 

"  That  they  be  rich  in  good  works,  ready  to  distribute,  willing  to  communi 
cate."— 1  Tim.  vi.  18. 

THE  possession  of  large  property  not  only  involves 
the  most  serious  resj^onsibility,  but  is  also  con- 
stantly and  necessarily  accompanied  with  strong  and  pe- 
culiar temptations,  to  which  those  in  humble  life  are  com- 
paratively strangers.  The  injunction  of  our  blessed  Lord 
to  the  young  man  who  had  great  possessions,  seems  the 
only  sufficient  remedy  for  that  disposition  of  mind 
which  would  make  the  things  of  this  world  the  chief  ob- 
ject of  desire  and  pursuit :  "  Sell  all,  and  thou  shalt  have 
treasure  in  heaven,  and  come  and  follow  me."  I  cannot, 
however,  entertain  any  other  persuasion,  than  that  the  root 
of  the  evil  is,  not  so  much  the  possession  of  property,  in  in- 
stances where  the  divine  blessing  has  rested  on  the  affiiirs 
of  individuals,  as  in  the  undue  and  inordinate  fnirsvit  of 
it,  and  of  the  things  of  this  world  ;  which  may  and  does 
exist  in  every  class  of  society,  of  whatever  rank,  from  the 
cottage  to  the  tlirone ;  so  that  I  consider  it  is  the  devotion 
of  the  heart  to  the  acquirement  of  wealth,  and  to  the 
pleasures  of  this  life,  which  is  so  much  to  be  lamented. 

How  should  my  heart  glow  with  gratitude  to  Him,  for 
His  abundant  mercy  towards  me,  of  which  I  am  con- 
strained to  confess  myself  wholly  unworthy  ;  and,  oh, 
may  the  prayer  be  availing,  that  when  the  tribulations 
o''  tliis  present  time  are  over,  my  soul  may  inherit  the 
treasures  of  a  blissful  eternity,  through  the  merits  and 
adorable  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. — Jonathan 
Backhouse^  England,  1842. 


TwHLTTH  Month  23.]         DAILY   READINGS.  357 

*'  Thy  people  shall  be  a  williug;  people  in  the  day  of  thy  power."— Psalm,  ex.  3. 

MY  soul  is  often  bowed  in  humble  contrition,  when 
I  feel  the  deplorable  state  of  those  who  are  say- 
ing, in  the  expressive  language  of  conduct,  "  we  will  not 
have  this  man  to  rule  over  us;"  remembering  that  the 
Lord  has  pleaded  in  mercy,  not  only  immediately  by  the 
revelation  of  his  own  pure  Spirit,  but  has  caused  the 
alarming  trumpet  to  be  sounded  in  Zion  by  his  instru- 
ments, and  his  judgments  for  transgressions  declared  on 
his  holy  mountain.  *  *  *  ^^q  there  not  those  in 
the  present  day  w^ho  can  say  with  the  mournful  prophet : 
"For  these  things  I  w^eep  ;  mine  eye  runneth  down  with 
water  "  ?  Though  w^e  are  all  made  abundantly  sensible 
that  true  religion  is  a  heartfelt,  individual  work,  and 
that  however  solicitous  w^e  may  feel  for  the  spiritual  wel- 
fare one  of  another,  it  is  not  possible  for  any  man  to  re- 
deem his  brother,  or  give  to  God  a  ransom  for  his  soul ; 
yet  how  does  the  universal  love  of  our  Heavenly  Father 
so  abound  in  the  hearts  of  his  disciples  that  they  are  made 
willing  to  spend  and  be  spent  in  calling  to  repentance 
and  amendment  of  life.  And  if,  through  the  efficacy  of 
the  Lord's  miglity  power,  such  are  made  instruments  in 
His  holy  hand  to  turn  one  soul  unto  righteousness  and 
holiness  of  life,  it  will  amj^ly  compensate  for  the  deep  ex- 
ercises and  fiery  baptisms  which  I  believe  accompany  all 
those  who  are  rightly  qualified  to  advocate  a  cause  dig- 
nified with  immortality  and  crowned  with  eternal  life. — 
Thomas  Scattergood^  1799. 


358  DAILY   KEADmGS.         [Tweltth  Month  24. 

"  Speaking  to  yourselves  in  psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  singing 
and  making  melody  in  your  hearts  to  the  Lord." — Eph.  v.  19. 

THE  song  ended,  I  desired  to  be  heard  a  few  words, 
wliich  Avas  granted ;  and  I  spoke  to  this  effect : 
That  I  had  once  been  amongst  a  people  who  used  to  sing 
psalms,  and  it  was  a  custom  among  many  still.  But  I 
desired  them  to  consider  the  foundation  of  their  singing, 
whether  it  was  any  part  of  the  worship  of  God,  or  that  He 
required  it  of  them  as  such ;  and  also  whether  they  all 
sung  their  own  conditions :  for  things  might  be  true  in 
the  psalmist,  which  were  not  so  in  them.  As.  for  instance, 
a  high-minded,  proud  man  singing  that  he  behaves  him- 
self as  a  weaned  child  in  silence  and  in  rest,  is  not  true ;  nor 
can  any  sing  aright  in  that  state ;  thougli  I  did  not  accuse 
them  of  pride,  but  this  for  instance  that  the  apostle  Paul 
says,  "  I  will  pray  with  the  spirit,  and  with  the  under- 
standing also, "  and  sing  also  in  like  manner ;  and  speaks 
of  making  melody  in  the  heart  to  the  Lord  in  hymns  and 
spiritual  songs ;  but  nothing  of  singing  other  men's  psalms 
without  tlie  spirit.  And  that  I  had  observed  in  those 
countries,  among  those  Avho  think  themselves  reformed, 
a  great  deal  of  images,  pictures,  and  outward  sliow,  and 
also  high  and  lofty  instruments  of  music  which  had  not 
been  duly  considered  in  their  reformation.  This  last 
some  of  them  seemed  not  to  relish  so  well  as  the  former 
part,  but  none  made  any  answer ;  and  in  general,  we  had 
the  full  countenance  and  approbation  of  some  of  their 
teachei*s,  and  we  parted  with  them  in  friendship. —  lliomas 
Story  ^  1744. 


Twelfth  Month  25.]         DAILY   READINGS 


359 


"The  Lord  will  go  before  you,  and  the  God  oflerael  will  be  your  rereward."- 
Isa.  Hi.  12. 

ART  thou  in  health  ?  art  thou  strong  in  Him  who 
goeth  before  thee,  and  who  hath  promised  that 
His  glory  shall  be  the  reward  of  the  number  that  deal 
prudently,  and  go  not  by  flight  ?  How  safe  do  the  steps 
of  such  appear,  wlio  have  this  Glory  for  a  light  for  their 
feet,  and  the  divinely  illuminated  lamp  to  attend  their 
feet !  It  is  no  wonder  that  a  way  should  often  open, 
where  the  human  understanding  (which  is  dark  and  com" 
prehends  not  the  things  of  the  spirit)  can  see  no  way, 
and  that  every  necessary  refreshment  should  be  inter- 
spersed therein.  I  sometimes  think  it  is  a  favor,  that  an 
eye  is  opened  into  this  path,  and  that  though  the  ad- 
vancement in  it  is  small,  if  there  be  any,  yet,  thus  seeing 
and  pressing  forward,  we  may  obtain.  I  hope  thou  art 
treading  this  sure  ground,  and  that  thy  memorials,  which 
are  brought  from  the  bottom  of  the  purifying  Avaters  of 
Jordan,  are  not  hid,  or  if  they  be,  that  it  is  only  for 
their  refinement.  But  perhaps  they  are  like  the  sling 
stones  which  David  had  ready  in  his  bag,  till  the  ap- 
pointed tiine  of  meeting  the  defier  of  Israel  was  come, 
and  are  to  be  alike  powerful  in  prevailing  against  the 
enemies  of  the  poor,  and  the  afflicted  people,  wliich  may 
be  spared  in  the  day  of  general  calamity.  But,  be  this 
as  it  may,  obedience  is  still  to  be  attended,  the  pro- 
phet's advice  remembered,  of  not  seeking  to  ourselves 
great  things,  but  to  be  content  with  every  dispensation, 
whether  of  want  or  of  plenty. — Sarah  Gruhh^  1779. 


360  DAILY    KEADINGS.         [Twelptd  Month  26. 

*'  But  call  to  remembrance  the  former  days,  in  which,  after  ye  were  illaminatcd, 
ye  endured  a  great  fi^ht  of  afflictions.'"— Hebrews  x.  32. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  more  than  two  centuries 
have  elapsed  since  the  rise  of  the  Society  of 
Friends,  during  wliich  period  many  treatises  explanatory 
of  its  views  have  been  published,  yet  at  the  present  day 
there  exists  a  contrariety  of  opinions  respecting  the  faith 
of  the  primitive  Quakers.  This  has  not  arisen  from  any 
deficiency  of  full  and  explicit  declarations  of  their  belief, 
for  these  are  numerous,  comprehensive,  and  perspicuous. 
But  these  declarations  lie  scattered  among  a  great  mass 
of  controversial  works,  written  more  than  a  century  ago ; 
possessing  little  of  the  attractive  novelty  of  modern  lit- 
erature, and  withal  so  voluminous,  that  few  persons  have 
either  the  inclination  or  the  leisure  to  examine  their  in- 
structive pages.  These  circumstances,  added  to  their 
great  scarcity,  have  occasioned  their  being  little  read,  even 
by  the  members  of  our  own  Society ;  and  hence  many  are 
not  aware  of  the  j)lain  and  positive  avowal  of  their  Chris- 
tian belief,  which  our  worthy  predecessors  repeatedly 
made.  For  many  among  us  have  grown  up  in  ignorance 
of  those  precious  doctrines,  in  support  of  which  their  fore- 
fathers endured  the  heat  of  cruel  persecution,  suffered  pa- 
tiently the  loss  of  property,  imprisonment  in  loathsome  and 
unhealthy  dungeons  ;  and  even  sealed  their  testimony  with 
the  sacrifice  of  life,  rather  than  renounce  the  holy  profes- 
sion which  they  had  espoused. — Thomas  Evans. 

It  is  a  coal  from  God's  altar  must  kindle  our  fire, 


Twelfth  Month  27.]         DAILY  READINGS.  361 

"  Lo,  children  are  an  heritage  of  the  Lord."— Psalm  cxxvii.  8. 

I  AM  now  sitting  with  my  dear  little  cares,  watching 
them  in  their  evening's  repose.  They  (as  thou  justly 
observest)  attach  us  strongly  to  life ;  and  without  a  guard 
over  ourselves,  we  are  in  danger  of  centering  too  much  of 
our  happiness  in  them.  They  may,  indeed,  in  various 
ways,  be  deemed  uncertain  blessings ;  their  lives  are  very 
precarious,  and  their  future  conduct  proving  as  one  could 
wish  not  less  doubtful.  I  already  often  look  forward  with 
anxiety,  and  the  most  ardent  wishes  for  their  welfare,  in 
a  state  of  permanent  felicity.  They  are  now  pretty  play- 
things, and  pleasing  calls  of  attention,  and  should  be  re- 
ceived with  grateful  hearts  as  additions  to  our  present 
comfort ;  but  we  should  consider  that  they  may  be  only 
lent  for  a  time. 

We  are  so  incapable  of  judging  with  regard  to  our  own 
happiness,  or  that  of  others,  that  it  should  lead  us  to  a 
patient  acquiescence  in  the  Divine  will ;  a  resignation 
which  would  not  only  enable  us  to  say,  "  Thy  will  be 
done,"  but  to  feel  that  submission  of  mind  which  would 
preserve  us  in  calm  composure.  Things  which  appear  to 
our  present  unhappiness  and  disadvantage  have  fre- 
quently at  a  future  period  j^roved  a  benefit,  and  we  have 
been  led  to  acknowledge  that  the  Lord  only  knows  what 
is  best  for  us.  Suffer  us  to  beseech,  O  Lord,  more  and 
more  to  enlighten  us  with  divine  knowledge,  and  having 
made  us  sensible  of  thy  will,  enable  us  to  obey  it. — Mar- 
garet Woods  J  near  London,  1*777. 


362  DAILY    KEADINGS. 


LTWELFTH  MOM'll    28. 


"  Endeavoring  to  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bondof  peace."— Eph.  iv. 
3. 

IT  is  cheering  to  see  Friends  under  differing  circum- 
stances, each  occuj)ying  with  the  gifts  intrusted  to 
them,  though  very  various  one  from  the  other.  Whilst 
tliis  is  the  case,  whether  possessing  the  one  or  the  five 
talents,  individuals,  as  well  as  the  church,  will  prosper, 
and  our  adorable  Head  will  be  glorified  by  His  works. 
And  I  desire  all  of  us  who  exhort  others  may  so  submit 
to  the  effectual  operation  of  the  fire  and  the  hammer,  as 
to  hold  out  the  invitation,  by  our  own  example,  to  fol- 
low us  as  we  follow  Christ. 

We,  who  are  so  far  advanced  in  our  course  to  the  grave, 
can  not  be  surprised  at  finding  very  increased  debility 
to  attend  these  mortal  frames  in  their  approach  to  the 
house  appointed  for  all  living.  Knowing  how  little  we 
can  do,  either  for  ourselves  or  our  dear  children,  it 
leads  us  to  cling  with  comfort  to  the  invitation  of  Him 
who  said,  "  Let  thy  widow  and  thy  fatherless  children 
trust  in  me ; "  and  who  has  promised  to  be  "  a  father  to 
the  fatherless,  and  a  judge  for  the  widow ; "  surely,  then 
we  leave  them  under  better  care  than  our  own,  who  can 
and  will  provide." 

I  must  consider  my  present  condition  a  precarious  one, 
and  life  suspended  as  on  a  thread,  and  when  infinite  wis- 
dom sees  meet  that  it  should  be  cut,  may  my  poor  soul, 
through  adorable  mercy,  drop  into  the  arms  of  its  blessed 
Redeemer  !  then,  will  all  the  desire  of  my  heart  for  my* 
self  be  granted  me. — Jonathan  Backhouse^  1842. 


Twelfth  Month  29.]  DAILY   READINGS.  363 

"  And  who  is  he  that  will  harm  3'on  if  ye  be  followers  of  that  which  is  good." 
—1  Peter  iii.  13. 

MANKIND  are  incident  to  many  troubles  and 
temptations  in  life,  but  tliei'O  is  a  great  ditier- 
euce  between  the  trouble  of  mind  wliich  ariseth  from  losses 
and  disappointments  in  the  things  of  the  world,  and  that 
whieli  proceeds  from  a  sense  of  misconduct,  in  a  course 
inconsistent  with  duty  to  God  and  his  known  laws. 

This  great  truth  is  confirmed  in  the  words  of  Solo- 
mon :  "The  spirit  of  a  man  may  bear  his  infirmity;  but  a 
woijnded  spirit,  who  can  bear  ?  "  Magnanimous  persons 
may  sustain  for  a  long  time '  the  shocks  of  bodily  ail- 
ments, as  likewise  of  losses  and  disappointments  in  life ;  but 
when,  by  our  rebellion  and  disobedience  to  that  holy  law 
of  life  and  grace  which  God  in  mercy  hath  placed  in  us 
for  our  guide  and  conductor,  with  respect  to  himself  and 
towards  one  another,  we  wound  not  only  our  own  con- 
sciences, but  crucify  to  ourselves  the  Son  of  God  afresh, 
and  wound  His  Holy  Spirit  in  us.  Our  anxiety  must 
needs  be  incomparably  greater  in  this  case  than  the  former. 
Yet  such  is  the  unspeakable  goodness  of  God  to  mankind, 
and  the  efficacy  of  the  virtue  of  that  grace  that  flows 
from  Him,  that  He  not  only  shows  us  our  transgressions 
and  the  evil  of  them;  not  only  the  wounds  and  the  sores 
thereby  produced;  but  as  we  are  truly  humble  in  that 
view,  and  willing  to  amend  for  time  to  come.  He,  most 
kind  and  beneficent,  sends  forth  His  healing  and  restor- 
ing virtue,  as  emollient  ointment,  taking  away  the  an- 
guish, and  healing  all  our  wounds. — Thomas  Story,  1717. 


364  DAILY    READIXGS.  [Twelfth  Month  30. 

"Worship  him  that  made  heaven,  and  earth,  and  the  sea,  and  the  fountains 
of  water."— Eev.  xiv.  7. 


WE  look  upon  divine  worship  to  be  the  most  solemn 
act  the  mind  of  man  is  capable  of  being  en- 
gaged in,  and,  in  consideration  of  the  high  and  incon- 
ceivable majesty  of  Almighty  God,  think  it  our  duty  to 
approach  Him  with  the  greatest  reverence.  Every  think- 
ing person,  who  is  in  any  degree  sensible  of  the  love  and 
fear  of  God,  must  esteem  it  an  awful  thing  to  present 
himself  to  the  especial  notice  of  the  Infinite  Omnipresent 
Eternal  Being.  Under  a  sense  of  this,  the  wise  man  ad- 
viseth  :  "  Keep  thy  foot  when  thou  gocst  to  the  house  of 
God,  and  be  more  ready  to  hear  than  to  give  the  sacrifice 
of  fools,  for  they  consider  not  that  they  do  evil.  Be  not 
rash  with  thy  mouth,  and  let  not  thine  heart  be  hasty 
to  utter  anything  before  God ;  for  God  is  in  heaven,  and 
thou  upon  earth,  therefore  let  thy  words  be  few."  He  well 
knew,  as  he  expresses  it,  that  both  "  The  preparation  of 
the  heart  and  the  answer  of  the  tongue  is  from  the  Lord. " 
This  accords  with  what  our  Saviour  saith :  "  Without  me, 
ye  can  do  nothing.  We,  therefore,  cannot  perform  divine 
worship  acceptably  but  by  his  assistance.  This  must  be 
received  in  spirit ;  for  saith  the  apostle :  "  The  Spirit 
also  helpeth  our  infirmities;  for  we  know  not  what  we 
should  pray  for  as  we  ought.  Tliis  being  as  certainly 
our  case  as  it  was  that  of  the  apostles  and  primitive  be- 
lievers, it  is  incimibent  upon  us  to  wait  for  that  Spirit 
which  is  requisite  to  help  our  infirmities,  in  order  to  pray 
as  we  ought. — Thomas  Story. 


TwBLTTH  Month  31.]         DAILY   READINGS.  366 

"And  he  said  unto  them,  verily  I  say  unto  yon,  that  there  be  some  of  fhem 
that  stand  here,  which  shall  not  taste  of  death,  till  they  have  seen  the  kingdom 
of  God  come  with  power,"— Mark  ix.  1. 

THE  day  dawning,  the  night  retires,  and  the  sub- 
stance comes,  the  shadow  vanishes.  My  dear, 
though  unknown  friend,  when  the  beloved  of  thy  soul 
appears,  if  the  world  and  the  things  and  friendship  and 
glory  of  it,  be  not  thy  beloved,  thou  will  not  then  mind 
His  picture,  if  it  were  His  picture,  nor  mind  His  shadow, 
though  He  had  even  said.  Look  upon  this  till  I  come. 
It  is  true,  thou  wilt  not  then  contemn  His  picture  when 
He  is  with  thee ;  no  more  do  I ;  but  have  a  due  esteem 
for  all  He  commandeth,  in  their  times,  dispensations, 
and  ends.  Nor  do  I  lightly  esteem  those  who  use  that 
in  imitation  with  a  good  intent  and  sincere  mind,  but 
pity  them  that  they  are  come  no  nearer  the  kingdom ; 
which  though  at  hand  seventeen  hundred  years  ago,  is  not 
yet  come  unto  those  who  are  set  down  contented  under  the 
shade  of  night,  and  dreaming  of  things  of  which  they 
have  no  knowledge  or  enjoyment.  Go  into  the  sunshine, 
and  turn  thy  face  towards  the  sun,  and  the  shadow  will 
be  behhid  thee ;  but  turn  thy  back  on  the  sun,  and  the 
•ihadow  will  be  before  thee  ;  and  the  more  thou  follow- 
est  it,  the  more  it  will  fly  thee ;  and  the  more  thou  goest 
after  it,  the  further  from  the  sun.  The  kingdom  of  hea- 
ven is  within,  and  stands  not  in  eating  and  drinking,  nor 
comes  with  outward  observation,  but  in  righteousness 
and  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost. — Thomas  Story, 
1690. 


APPENDIX. 


APPEE^DIX. 


THE  RELIGIOUS   SOCIETY   OF  FRIENDS. 

By  Wm.  J.  Allinsoi^^,  Editor  of  Friends''  Seview.  Printed  by  permission 
from  the  third  volume  of  McClintock  &  Strong's  "Cyclopaedia  of  Biblical, 
Theological,  and  Ecclesiastical  Literature." 

The  organization  of  the  Friends  as  a  distinct  society  or  church, 
was  not  the  result  of  any  deliberate  design  to  form  a  sect,  but 
must  be  regarded  as  a  providential  ordering,  and  as  a  necessity 
growing  from  the  degeneracy,  corruptions,  and  worldliness  which 
permeated  tlie  churches  in  the  early  part  of  the  17th  century. 
They  did  not  profess  to  establish  a  new  religion,  or  claim  to  have 
discovered  any  new  truth.  Their  object  was  the  revival  of  primi- 
tive Christianity,  which  had  been  maintained  through  the  centuries 
of  the  Christian  era  by  successive  testimony-bearers,  many  of 
whom  had  sealed  the  truth  with  their  blood,  and  been  counted 
unto  the  Lord  for  a  generation.  Especially  they  were  led  to  call 
the  attention  of  the  people  to  the  Holy  Spirit  as  the  living  and 
infallible  Guide,  as  a  precious  and  glorious  reality,  essential  to 
the  Christian  life,  and  sufficient  to  lead  into  true  holiness.  They 
never  held  the  doctrine  of  the  Spirit  as  a  mere  theory,  or  ig- 
nored the  great  truth  that  this  unspeakable  gift  proceeded  from 
the  adorable  Giver,  and  was  consequent  upon  the  death  and 
vicarious  sacrifice  of  Him  who  for  our  sakes  laid  down  his  life 
upon  Calvary.  They  always  regarded  the  close  connection  of 
cause  and  effect  as  described  in  our  Lord's  words :  "  I  tell  you  the 
truth  ;  it  is  expedient  for  you  that  I  go  away ;  for  if  I  go  not  away, 
the  Comforter  will  not  come  unto  you ;  but  if  I  depart  I  will  send 
him  unto  you."  (John  xvi.  7.)  This  truth  George  Fox  began  to 
teach  and  preach,  not  as  an  invention  of  his  own,  but  as  a  price- 
less jewel  thrown  aside  and  hidden  under  the  rubbish  of  dogmas 
and  forms.    The  Divine   Spirit  asserted   Himself  almost  simul- 


370  APPENDIX. 

taneously  in  the  hearts  of  many  contemporaries,  who  were  ready 
to  respond  to  the  preaching  of  Fox :  "  It  is  the  very  truth."  Had 
the  clergy  and  other  professors  of  that  day  opened  their  heart? 
to  the  spirituality  of  tlie  Christian  religion,  and  yielded  themselvof 
10  the  Spirit's  guidance,  the  Church  would  have  been  reforiiied 
and  Fox  would  have  been  satisfied. 

The  religious  awakening  of  this  period  was  well  described  hy 
the  pen  of  Milton  : 

"  Thou  hast  sent  out  the  Spirit  of  prayer  upon  thy  servant? 
over  all  the  land  to  this  effect,  and  stirred  up  their  vows  as  the 
sound  of  many  waters  about  thy  throne.  Every  one  cm  say  that 
now  certainly  thou  hast  visited  this  land,  and  hast  not  forgotten 
the  uttermost  corners  of  the  earth,  in  a  time  when  men  thought 
that  thou  wast  gone  up  from  us  to  the  furthest  ends  of  the  heavens, 
and  hadst  left  to  do  marvellously  among  the  sons  of  these  last 
ages." 

Christ  the  object  of  f\iith,  the  Spirit  the  transforming  power, 
was  the  doctrine  of  the  first  Friends,  as  it  has  ever  been  that  of 
their  true  successors.  The  divinity  of  our  Lord  was  not  called  in 
-question  by  the  teachers  of  that  day,  whilst  the  guidance  of  His 
Spirit,  the  light  of  Christ  in  the  conscience,  was  denied  or  ignor- 
-ed ;  and  hence  the  prominence  given  to  the  latter  truth,  and  the 
comparative  silence  respecting  the  other,  in  the  controversial 
writings  of  the  early  Fiiends. 

•George  Fox,  the  founder  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  was  born  in 
1624;  and  in  1647,  after  much  deep  experience  of  the  blessedness 
of  the  Comforter,  "  even  the  Spirit  of  Truth  which  proceedeth 
from  the  Father,"  he  went  forth  through  England,  on  foot  and  at 
his  own  charges,  freely  preaching  to  the  people  the  unsearchable 
riches  which  Christ  had  purchased  for  them,  and  was  ready  to 
give  liberally  to  all  who  would  ask  for  it,  coming  unto  God  by 
Him.  To  the  spiritual  standard  thus  raised,  many  flocked — min- 
isters of  vanous  churches,  sin-sick  members  of  their  flocks  who 
had  wandered  unsatisfied  upon  "  barren  mountains  and  desolate 
hills,"  magistrates,  rich  men  and  poor,  and  "  honorable  women 
not  a  few."  Eight  years  from  the  date  last  given,  ministers  of 
the  new  society  preached  the  Gospel  in  various  parts  of  Europe, 
in  Asia,  and  Africa,  and  bore,  with  heroic  endurance,  persecutions, 
imprisonment,  and  the  tortures  of  the  Inquisition  in  Rome,  Malta, 
Austria,  Hungar}',  etc.     An  authentic  history  of  their  sufierings 


APPENDIX.  371 

was  collected  by  Joseph  Besse,  and  published,  London,  1753,  in 
two  large  folios.  The  systematic  interference  by  the  state  in  mat- 
ters of  religion  and  conscience,  which  was  the  policy  of  England 
through  all  the  political  overtumings,  caused  shameless  oppres- 
sions and  wrongs  to  be  perpetrated  upon  this  peaceable  and  God- 
fearing people,  three  thousand  four  hundred  of  them  at  one  time 
being  incarcerated  in  filthy  and  unwholesome  prisons,  where 
many  of  th»im  died  martyrs  to  the  truth.  No  one  seemed  to  think 
of  purchasing  exemption  from  persecution  by  yielding,  even  in 
appearance,  a  point  of  principle. 

"  No— nursed  in  storm  and  peril  long, 
The  weakest  of  their  band  was  strong ; " 

and,  whilst  men  and  women  were  perishing  in  jails,  even  the  little 

boys  and  girls  would  meet  together  at  the  places  appointed,  and  in 

the  beauty  and  sweetness  of  early  piety  worship  the  God  of  their 

fathers  in  spirit  and  in  truth.    But  not  even  childhood  was  sacred 

from  religious  intolerance  and  official  interference.    These  babes 

in  Christ  (as  truly  they  might  be  called)  were  disturbed  at  their 

worship,  savagely  threatened^  and  sometimes  cruelly  beaten. 

The  early  history  of  Friends  is  closely  connected  with  that  of 
George  Fox,  and  necessarily  included  in  the  various  biographies 
of  that  remarkable  man.  He  commenced  his  career  as  a  seeker 
after  the  truth,  and  meeting,  in  Europe  and  America,  with  many 
wliose  yearnings  were  similar,  they  were  called  Seekers.  The 
epithet  of  Quakers  was  given  in  derision,  because  thCy  often  trem- 
bled under  an  awful  sense  of  the  infinite  purity  and  majesty  of 
God ;  and  this  name,  rather  submitted  to  than  accepted  by  them, 
has  become  general  as  a  designation.  "  To  this  man  will  I  look," 
said  the  Holy  Spirit  by  Isaiah,  *'  even  to  him  that  is  poor  and  of  a 
contrite  spirit,  and  trembleth  at  my  word^  To  tremble,  then,  at 
the  presence  of  the  God  of  the  whole  earth,  and  especially  when 
speaking  in  his  name,  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  any  reproach ;  but 
their  name,  as  a  body,  is  "  The  Religious  Society  of  Friends.'''' 

The  spread  of  the  Society  in  North  America  was  rapid,  espe- 
cially after  the  founding  of  Pennsylvania  in  1680,  by  William  Penn, 
whose  career  as  a  wise  legislator  is  prominent  in  history,  and  who, 
as  a  Christian  philanthropist,  a  statesman,  a  writer,  and  a  minister 
of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  established  a  reputation  which  even  the 
vindictive  attacks  of  Macaulay  could  not  undermine.  As  early 
as  1672  George  Fox  found  an  established  settlement  of  Friends  in 


372  APPENDIX. 

Perquimans  County,  N".  C,  which  proved  the  germ  of  an  independ- 
ent diocese,  or  Yearly  Meeting,  whose  members  from  that  time 
have  been  exemplary  upholders,  at  the  cost  of  persecution  and 
much  loss  of  substance,  of  the  principles  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty,  steadily  testilyiug  against  slavery  and  war,  and  maintain- 
ing the  freeness  of  the  Gospel.  During  the  War  of  the  Rebellion 
their  heroic  firmness  in  refusing  to  bear  arms  was  proof  against 
cruel  tyranny,  so  that  some  of  these  simple  testimony-bearers, 
who  "  loved  not  their  lives  unto  death,"  by  meek  yet  brave  endur- 
ance of  tortures  and  privations  have  made  their  names  historic. 
The  membership  of  that  Yearly  Meeting,  although  many  times 
thinned  by  emigraiion  to  free  States,  is  again  greatly  enlarged  by  re- 
ligious convincement,  and  is  now  about  three  thousand  souls.  The 
persecution  of  Friends  in  New  England  was  so  sanguinary  that 

"  Old  Newberry,  had  her  fields  a  tongue, 
And  Salem's  streets,  could  telT  their  story 
Of  fainting  women  dragged  along, 
Gashed  by  the  whip  accursed,  and  gory ;  " 

and  four  Friends  actually  suffered  martyrdom — a  Quaker  woman 
of  remarkable  refinement  and  piety,  and  three  men  of  equal  worth, 
being  hanged  on  Boston  Common.  The  number  of  victims  was 
likely  to  be  increased,  when  proceedings  were  checked  by  a  royal 
mandamus. 

The  membership  of  the  Society  becoming  very  widely  extended, 
a  formal  organization  by  a  system  of  Church  government  became 
necessary,  and  George  Fox  evinced  much  sagacity,  mentid  sound- 
ness, and  spiritual  guidance,  in  successful  efforts  to  establish  rules 
for  the  giivernment  of  the  Church  and  meetings  for  discipline,  in 
a  harmonious  chain  of  subordination,  the  highest  and  final  au- 
thority being  a  Yearly  Meeting.  The  Yearly  Meetings  are,  in  a 
sense,  diocesan,  having  each  a  defined  territorial  jurisdiction,  and 
independent  of  each  other  in  their  government  and  law-making 
powers,  whilst  by  a  sort  of  common  law  there  are  principles  of 
discipline  sacred  to  all,  and  membership  in  any  meeting  involves 
a  connection  with  the  Society  wherever  existing,  and  may  be 
transferred  by  certificate  when  the  person  claiming  such  creden- 
tial is  not  liable  to  Church  censure. 

The  trans  iction  of  the  business  of  these  meetings  is  regarded  as 
the  Lord's  work ;  and  as  He  declared  "  where  two  or  three  are 
gathered  in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them,"  they  re- 


APPENDIX.  373 

gard  His  immediate  presence  with  His  Church  as  the  foundation 
of  its  authority.  Hence,  in  these  meetings,  and  in  those  especially 
for  worship,  it  is  held  to  be  necessary  for  all  minds  to  be  turned 
to  Him  who  is  present  by  His  Spirit,  and  whose  anointing  teach- 
eth  all  things,  and  alone  can  enable  His  people  to  serve  Him  ac- 
cording to  the  counsel  of  His  will. 

In  the  ministry  of  the  Word,  no  Friend  who  is  true  to  the  princi- 
ples of  the  Society  will  speak  without  feeling  a  direct  call  and 
movement  of  the  Holy  Spirit  for  the  service.  Under  this  influ- 
ence, the  Gospel  ministry  is  regarded  as  very  precious,  and  a 
blessing  to  be  guarded  and  cherished.  Elders  are  appointed, 
who  are  believed  to  be  prudent  persons,  gifted  with  a  discerning 
spirit,  and  it  is  their  duty  to  counsel,  foster,  and  aid  the  ministers, 
and  either  to  encourage  or  restrain  the  vocal  offerings  of  those 
who  attempt  to  speak  in  this  capacity,  according  as  they  are  or 
are  not  believed  to  be  called  of  God  to  the  work. 

No  system  of  theologic  training  is  known  or  could  be  permitted 
among  tlie  Friends.  They  are  favorable  to  education,  and  provide 
for  its  free  extension  to  the  children  of  poor  members;  but  they 
regard  it  as  the  exclusive  province  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  select 
His  own  ministers,  and  to  instruct  them  what  they  shall  say.  It 
is,  however,  considered  the  duty  of  all,  and  especially  of  those 
who  stand  as  ambassadors  for  Christ,  to  be  diligent  and  prayerful 
in  the  perusal  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  through  which  the  man  of 
God,  led  as  he  will  assuredly  be  by  the  Spirit  which  gavje  them 
forth,  will  be  *' thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good  works."  So 
great  is  the  stress  which  Friends  place  upon  the  perusal  of  the 
Scriptures,  and  upon  the  bringiug  up  of  their  children  and  others 
under  their  care  in  this  practice,  that  it  is  made  a  matter  of  semi- 
annual iuves'igation  in  all  their  meetings,  and  so  long  ago  as  1754 
London  Yearly  Meeting  enacted  a  rule  of  discipline  that  the  fam- 
ilies (ir  poor  Friends  should  be  provided  with  Bibles — a  gratuitous 
Scripuire  distribution  whieh  was  in  advance  of  any  Bible  Society. 

The  privilege  and  duty  of  prayer,  both  secretly  and  vocally, 
under  a  reverent  and  filial  sense  of  the  character  of  the  engage- 
ment, are  regarded  as  of  the  very  highest  importance.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  "men  ought  always  to  pray,"  but  a  jealousy  is  felt 
lest  any  should  in  a  light  and  flipp  int  way  rush  into  ihis  exercise. 
He  who  knoweth  what  we  have  need  of  before  we  ask  Him,  will, 
if  reverently  waited  upon,  extend  His  kingly  sceptre  and  put  into 


374  APPENDIX. 

the  heart  the  prayer  of  faith;  and  before  any  one  shall  pray 
vocally  in  their  meetings,  as  mouthpiece  for  the  people,  it  is 
requisite  that  a  direct  movement  of  the  Holy  Spirit  should  prompt 
the  offering,  lest  the  words  of  rebuke  be  applicable :  "  Ye  ask  and 
receive  not,  because  ye  ask  amiss."  The  following  clause  in  the 
Loudon  Discipline  expresses  the  creed  of  the  Society  respecting 
this  part  of  the  service  of  Almighty  God : 

"As  prayer  and  thanksgiving  are  an  important  part  of  worship, 
may  they  be  offered  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  with  a  right  under- 
standing seasoned  with  grac  ■.  When  engaged  herein,  let  min- 
isters avoid  many  words  and  repetitions,  and  be  cautious  of  too 
often  repeating  the  high  and  holy  name  of  God  or  His  attri- 
butes ;  neither  let  prayer  be  in  a  formal  or  customary  way,  nor 
without  a  reverent  sense  of  divine  influence." 

The  meetings  of  the  Society  are  characterized  by  practical 
recognition  of  the  presidency  and  headship  of  Christ  in  the 
Church,  and  a  conviction  that  every  movement  of  the  body 
should  be  dictated  by  its  Head. 

The  Society  of  Friends  is  not  at  issue  with  other  orthodox 
churches  on  the  general  points  of  Christian  doctrine.  Avoiding 
the  use  of  the  word  Trinity,  they  reverently  believe  in  the  Holy 
Three:  the  Father,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  only-begotten  of 
the  Father,  by  whom  are  all  things,  who  is  the  mediator  Ijetween 
God  and  man,  and  in  the  Holy  Spirit  who  proceedeth  from  the 
Father  and  the  Son — One  Go!.«,  blessed  forever.  The}-  accept  in 
its  fulness  ihe  testimony  of  holy  Scripture  with  regard  to  the 
nature  and  offices  of  Christ,  as  the  promised  Messiah,  Ihe  Word 
made  flesh,  the  atonement  for  sin,  the  Saviour  and  Redeemer  of 
the  world.  They  have  no  reliance  upon  any  other  name,  no 
hope  of  salvation  that  is  not  based  upon  his  meritorious  death 
on  Ihe  cross.  The  charge  that  they  deny  Christ  to  be  God, 
William  Penn  denounced  as  "most  untrue  and  uncharitable," 
saying,  "  We  truly  and  expressly  own  him  to  be  so,  according  to 
the  Scripture."  As  fully  do  they  admit  his  humaniiy,  and  that 
He  was  truly  man,  "sin  only  excepted."  They  so  fully  believe  in 
the  Holy  Spirit  of  Christ,  that  without  the  inward  revelation 
thereof  they  feel  that  they  can  do  nothing  to  God's  glory,  or  to 
further  the  salvation  of  their  own  souls.  With r)ut  the  influence 
thereof  they  know  not  how  to  approach  the  Father  through  the 
Son,  nor  what  to  pray  for  as  they  ought.     Their  whole  code  of 


APPENDIX.  375 

belief  calls  for  the  entire  surrender  of  the  natural  will  to  the 
guidance  of  the  pure,  unerring  Spirit,  "  through  whose  renewed 
assistance,"  says  one  of  their  writers,  '*  they  are  enabled  to  bring 
forth  fruits  unto  holiness,  and  to  stand  perfect  in  their  present 
rank."  As  it  was  the  design  of  Christ,  in  going  to  tlie  Father, 
to  send  as  a  comforter  His  Spirit  to  His  disciples,  so  it  is  with  His 
Spirit  that  He  baptized  and  doth  baptize  them,  it  being  impossible, 
in  the  estimation  of  th.e  Friends,  that  an  outward  ablution  should 
wash  from  the  Spirit  of  man  the  stains  of  sin.  Hence  they  attach 
importance  only  to  "  the  baptism  which  now  saveth,"  and  which 
John  the  Baptist  predicted  should  be  administered  by  Christ. 
And  it  is  by  His  Spirit,  also,  that  His  followers  are  enabled  to 
partake  of  the  true  supper  of  the  Lord  :  "  Behold,  I  stand  at  the 
door  and  knock:  if  any  man  hear  my  voice  and  open  unto  me, 
I  will  come  in  and  sup  with  him,  and  he  with  me."  Thus  they 
hold  that  the  coming  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  the  flesh  was 
the  grand  epoch  and  central  fact  of  time,  and  that  types,  and 
shadows,  and  all  ceremonial  observances,  which  had  their  place 
before  as  shadows  of  good  things  to  come,  now  that  they  have 
been  fulfilled  in  Him,  are  only  shadows  of  those  shadows.  The 
type  properly  precedes  the  reality,  and  truly  this  was  worthy  of 
being  foreshadowed ;  "  but,"  says  Paul  (1  Cor.  xiii.  10),  "  when  that 
which  is  perfect  is  come,  then  that  which  is  in  part  shall  be  done 
away." 

Their  view  respecting  the  resurrection  may  be  briefl}^  stated  in 
the  language  of  one  of  the  Society's  documents : 

"  The  Society  of  Friends  believes  that  there  will  be  a  resurrec- 
tion both  of  thf  righteous  and  the  wicked  ;  the  one  to  eternal  life 
and  blessedness,  and  the  otlier  to  everlasting  misery  and  torment, 
agreeably  to  Matt.  xxv.  31-46;  John  v.  25-30;  1  Cor.  xv.  12-58. 
That  God  will  judge  the  world  by  that  man  whom  he  hath  or- 
dained, even  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  who  will  render  unto  every 
man  according  to  his  works;  to  them  who  by  p'ltieut  continu- 
ing in  well-doing  duiing  this  life  seek  for  glory  and  honor,  inmior- 
tality  and  eternal  life;  but  unto  the  contentious  and  disobedient, 
who  obey  not  the  truth,  but  obey  unrighteousness,  indignation 
and  wrath,  tribulation  and  anguish  upon  every  soul  of  man  that 
sinnetli,  for  God  is  no  respecter  of  persons."     (Thomas  Evans.) 

They  have  ever  regarded  war  as  inconsistent  with  Christianity. 
For  this  they  refer  to  the  teachings  of  Christ  and  His  apostles,  to 


376  APPENDIX.  = 

the  example  of  the  early  Christians,  and  to  the  witness  for  trath 
in  their  own  consciences,  tested  and  confirmed  by  the  sacred  writ- 
ings. They  find  that  all  the  emotions  which  are  exercised  in 
wars  and  fightings  are  traced  to  evil  lusts,  and  are  inconsistent 
with  that  love  which  is  the  substance  of  the  first,  the  second,  and 
the  new  commandment,  which  "  worketh  no  ill  to  his  neighbor," 
and  on  which  "  hang  all  the  law  and  the  prophets." 

They  consider  oaths  to  be  inadmissible,  as  being  positively  for- 
bidden by  our  Lord  in  language  not  to  be  mistaken,  and  this  tes- 
timony was  made  the  occasion  of  inflicting  severe  penalties  upon 
the  first  Friends.  When  their  persecutors  failed  to  convict 
them  upon  false  charges,  it  was  customar}'-  to  administer  the  test- 
oaths  to  them,  on  refusing  to  take  whicli  they  were  thrown  into 
prison.  They  decline  to  employ  the  complimentary  and  false 
languai^e  of  the  world,  and  to  apply  to  the  months  and  days  the 
names  given  in  honor  of  Pagan  gods,  preferring  the  numerical  no- 
menclature adcipted  in  the  Scripture  In  dress  they  aim  at  plain- 
ness and  simplicity,  avoiding  the  tyrannj'  of  an  ever-changing 
fashion.  As  a  natural  result,  a  degree  of  uniformity  of  dress  pre- 
vails among  them,  bearing  much  resemblance  to  the  styl^  in 
vogue  at  the  rise  of  the  Society,  This  approach  to  uniformity, 
which  at  first  was  unintentional,  came  to  be  cherished  as  a  hedge 
of  defence  against  worldly  and  ensnaring  associations,  and  a 
means  by  which  they  recognized  each  other.  The  principle  at 
stake  is  not  in  the  fashion  of  a  garb,  but  in  simplicity  and  the 
avoidance  of  changes  of  fashion.  Were  the  customary  patterns 
all  abandoned  to-da}',  and  the  principle  of  simplicity  still  consist- 
entl}^  adhered  to,  the  kaleidoscope  of  fashion  would  make  frequent 
changes  in  the  people  around  them,  and  Friends  would  soon  be 
left  as  peculiar  in  their  appearance  as  at  present. 

Whilst  Friends,  as  good  citizens,  have  cheerfull}^  paid  all  legal 
assessments  for  the  support  of  public  schools  and  of  the  poor,  and 
have  contributed  abundantly  to  the  various  charities  and  general 
claims  of  benevolence,  they  have  always  been  characterized  by 
their  scrupulous  care  in  relieving  their  own  poor,  so  that  none  of 
their  members  come  upon  the  public  for  maintenance  or  for  gra. 
tuitous  education. 

A  dangerous  tendency  to  "  hold  the  truth  in  parts"  led  a  portion 
of  the  Society,  in  the  early  part  of  the  present  century,  into  the 
error  of  insisting  too  singly  upon  the  precious  doctrine  of  Christ 


APPENDIX.  377 

within,  the  hope  of  glory,  and  of  denying,  cr  at  least  holding  light- 
ly, a  belief  in  His  true  divinity  whilst  incarnate,  and  in  the  aton- 
ing, cleansing,  saving  efficacy  of  His  blood  which  was  shed  for  us 
Thus  Socinianism  gained  a  footing  in  the  Society,  to  tlie  grief  of 
those  who  held  the  ancient  faitli,  and  in  1827  an  extensive  an(? 
much-to  be-regretted  secession  occurred,  in  which  doctrinal  anC 
personal  considerations  were  mingled  ;  and,  in  the  excitement  ot 
the  division,  it  is  believed  that  many  fixiled  to  comprehend  llit 
true  issues,  and  that  not  a  few  who  were  essentially  one  in  faith 
were  dissevered  for  life  as  regards  church  fellowship.  Tluis  two 
entirel)^  distinct  societies  now  exist,  each  claiming  exclusive  right 
to  the  same  name,  and  causing  confusion  among  other  professors 
as  to  their  identity.  In  this  sec  ession  portions  of  six  out  of  ten 
Yearly  Meetings  then  existing  joined  with  the  body  popularly  de- 
signated by  the  name  of  their  leader  (ihougli  they  have  never  ac- 
knowledged the  title.)  In  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  in  two  of 
the  American  Yearly  Meetings  then  existing,  no  schism  occurred. 
There  are  twelve  independent  Yearly  Meetings  of  the  Religious 
Society  of  Friends.  The  oldest  of  these  is  that  of  London,  the 
records  gf  which  are  preserved  from  the  year  1672.  This  body 
is  regarded  by  the  others  with  respectful  affection  as  the  mother 
of  Yearly  Meetings,  and  its  General  Epistle  of  Christian  Counsel, 
which  is  issued  annually,  is  gladly  received,  republished,  and 
circulated  by  nearly  all  the  co-ordinate  bodies.  The  number  of 
members  in  England  is  13,815,  whilst  there  is  an  attendance  of  its 
meetings  by  non-members  of  3,G59.  There  are  settlements  of 
Friends  in  France,  German3%  Norway,  and  in  several  ptirts  of 
Australasia,  which  all  make  annual  reports  to  London  Yearly 
Meeting,  and  acknowledge  subordination  to  it.  Friends  in  Eng- 
land are  a  highly  influential  body  in  proportion  to  their  number. 
There  is  a  Yearly  Meeting  in  Ireland,  one  in  Canada,  and  nine  in 
the  United  States,  viz.,  the  Yearly  Meetings  of  New  England, 
New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  North  Carolina,  Ohio,  Indi- 
ana, Western  Indiana,  and  Iowa.  The  increase  of  menib  isliii)  in 
North  Carolina,  Tennessee,  and  the  Western  States  has  been 
rapid  of  late  years,  and  settlements  of  Friends  are  starting  up  in 
Kansas,  Missouri,  etc.  The  membership  of  the  Society  may  be 
rated  at  80,000.  * 


*  The  actual  number,  it  is  supposed,  exceeds  these  figures. 


378  APPENDIX. 

In  all  these  Yearly  Meetings,  First-day  Scriptural  Scliools  are 
conducted  with  zeal  and  efficiency,  exerting  a  wide  evangelical 
influence.  In  a  number  of  the  Yearly  Meetings  these  are  under 
the  direct  care  of  the  Society,  and  made  the  subjects  of  annual 
slaiistical  reports.  Thus,  in  Indiana  Yearly  fleeting,  there  are 
115  such  schools,  with  710  teachers,  and  6,953  pupils,  of  whom 
2.307  are  over  twenty-one  years  of  age.  In  the  Yearly  Meeting 
of  Westei-n  Indiana  there  are  63  First-day  Schools,  witli  6,170 
puiiils,  and  411  teachers.  North  Carolina  Yearly  Meeting  has 
taken  the  lead  in  ihe  establishment  of  a  Normal  First-day  School, 
the  benefit  of  which  has  been  very  decided. 

There  are  in  England  and  Ireland  several  educational  institu- 
ilons  of  merit  under  the  care  of  the  Society.  In  this  country 
Friends  have  three  colleges,  viz.,  Haverford  College,  Pennsylvania; 
Eariliam  College,  Richmond,  Ind. ;  and  Whiitier  College,  Salem, 
Iowa.  There  are  also  large  boarding  schools  under  the  care  of 
different  Yearly  ^Meetings,  the  nmst  noted  of  which  are  those  of 
West  Town,  Pa.,  Providence,  R.  I.,  Union  Springs,  N.  Y.,  and 
New  Garden,  N.  C. 


A  BRIEF  VIEW  OF  THE  DOCTRINES   OF 
CHRISTIANITY, 


AS  PLAINLY   UECLAKED    IN    THE    HOLY    SCUll'TUKES,   EMBliACEU    AND    PROMUL- 
GATED BY   OUR  FOREFATHERS,  AND  STILL  HELD  BY  THE  SOCIETY  OP  FRIENDS. 


We  believe  in  one  only  wise,  omnipotent,  and  ever- 
lasting God,  the  Creator  and  upliolder  of  all  things, 
visible  and  invisible ;  and  in  one  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by 
whom  are  all  things,  the  Mediator  between  God  and 
man.  Although  we  have  rejected  the  terms  of  separate 
and  distinct  persons  in  the  Godhead,  we  have  ever  be- 
lieved, and  as  constantly  maintained,  the  trutli  of  that 
great  and  mysterious  docti-ine  of  the  "  tliree  that  bear 
record  in  heaven  :  the  Father,  the  Word,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost ;  and  [that]  these  three  are  one  " — one  God,  inii- 
nite,  eternal,  and  incomprehensible,  and  blessed  for  ever- 
more. 

COXCERNIXG  OUR  LORD   JESUS  CHRIST. 

We  believe  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  beloved  and  only 
begotten  Son  of  God,  who  was  conceived  of  tlie  Holy 
Ghost,  and  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  that  in  Him  we 


380  APPENDIX. 

hav^e  redemption  through  His  blood,  even  the  forgiveness 
of  sins. 

We  also  believe  that  He  was  made  a  sacrifice  for  sin, 
who  knew  no  sin,  neither  was  guile  found  in  His  mouth  ; 
that  He  was  crucified  for  mankind,  in  the  flesh ;  that  He 
was  buried,  and  rose  again  the  third  day  for  our  justifi- 
cation, and  that  He  ascended  up  into  Heaven,  and  now 
sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  our  Mediator,  Advocate, 
and  Intercessor. 

We  believe  in  the  divinity  and  manhood  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  that  His  sacrifice  of  Himself  upon  the  cross 
was  a  propitiation  and  atonement  for  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world;  and  that  the  remission  of  sins  which  any 
partake  of,  is  only  in,  and  by  virtue  of,  that  most 
satisfactory  sacrifice. 

OF   THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 

We  believe  also  in  the  Holy  Spirit,  or  Comforter,  the 
promise  of  the  Father,  whom  Christ  declared  He  would 
send  in  His  name,  to  lead  and  guide  His  followers  into  all 
truth,  to  teach  them  all  things,  and  to  bring  all  things 
to  their  remembrance. 

We  believe  that  a  manifestation  of  this  Spirit  is  given 
to  every  man  to  profit  withal ;  that  He  convicts  for  sin, 
and,  as  obeyed,  gives  power  to  the  soul  to  evercome  and 
forsake  it.  He  opens  to  the  mind  the  mysteries  of 
salvation,  enables  it  to  understand  the  truths  recorded 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  gives  it  the  living,  practical, 


APPENDIX.  •  381 

and  heartfelt  experience   of  those  things  which  pertain 
to  its  everlasting  welfare. 

We  believe  that  the  saving  knowledge  of  God  and 
Christ  cannot  be  obtained  in  any  other  way  than  by  the 
revelation  of  His  Spirit ; — for  the  apostle  says,  "  What 
man  knoweth  the  things  of  a  man,  save  the  spirit  of  man 
which  is  in  him  ?  Even  so  the  things  of  God  knoweth 
no  man,  but  the  Spirit  of  God.  Now  we  have  received, 
not  the  spirit  of  the  world,  but  the  spirit  which  is  of  God, 
that  we  might  know  the  things  that  are  freely  given  to 
us  of  God."  As,  therefore,  the  things  which  properly 
appertain  to  man,  cannot  be  discerned  by  any  lower 
principle  than  the  spirit  of  man ;  so  those  things  which 
properly  relate  to  God  and  Christ,  cannot  be  known  by 
any  power  inferior  to  that  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

OF  THE  FALL  OF  MAN. 

We  believe  that  miin  was  created  in  the  image  of  God, 
capable  of  understanding  the  divine  law,  and  of  holding 
communion  with  his  Maker.  Through  transgression  he 
fell  from  this  blessed  state,  and  lost  the  heavenly  image. 
His  posterity  come  into  the  world  in  the  image  of  the 
earthly  man ;  and,  until  renewed  by  the  quickening  and 
regenerating  power  of  the  heavenly  man,  Christ  Jesus, 
manifested  in  the  soul,  they  are  fallen,  degenerated,  and 
dead  to  the  divine  life  in  which  Adam  originally  stood, 
and  are  subject  to  the  power,  nature,  and  seed  of  the 
serpent. 


382  »  AprEXDix. 

But  while  we  liold  these  views  of  the  lost  condition  of 
man  in  the  fall,  we  do  not  believe  that  sin  is  imputed  to 
any  until  they  transgress  the  divine  law,  after  sufficient 
capacity  has  been  given  to  understand  it.  Hence,  chil- 
dren cannot  be  sinners  from  their  birth,  as  some  allege  ; 
yet  as  they  inherit  the  seed  of  sin,  so  through  Jesus 
Christ  they  are  heirs  of  grace,  and  partake  of  the  benelits 
of  the  sacrifice  made  for  the  sins  of  the  world,  being- 
saved  by  the  atonement  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ. 

OF  THE  RESTORATION  OP  :NrxVX  AND  OF  JUSTIFICATION. 

We  belie\e  that  the  great  design  of  our  Almighty 
Creator,  in  sending  his  beloved  Son  into  the  w'orld,  was 
for  the  redemption  of  man  from  the  fall ;  that  he  might 
be  restored  into  unity  and  fellowship  with  Him.  For 
this  end  he  hath  communicated  to  every  man  a  measure 
of  that  light  and  grace  which  came  by  Jesus  Christ, 
which,  as  it  is  received,  works  tlie  salvation  of  all,  even 
of  those  who  are  ignorant  of  Adam's  fall,  and  of  the  death 
and  sufferings  of  Christ. 

To  those  who  receive  this  light,  and  walk  therein,  it 
becomes  in  them  a  holy,  pure,  and  spiritual  life,  bringing 
forth  holiness,  righteousness,  and  pnrity,  and  all  those 
blessed  fruits  which  are  acceptable  to  God,  and  by  which 
we  are  sanctified  in  the  sight  of  God,  according  to  the 
apostle's  words :  "  But  ye  are  washed,  but  ye  are  sanc- 
tified, but  ye  are  justified,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 


APPENDIX. 


383 


and  by  the  Spirit  of  our  God."  The  same  apostle  says  : 
"  Not  by  works  of  righteousness  whicli  we  have  done, 
but  according  to  His  mercy  He  saved  us,  by  the  washing 
of  regeneration,  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  which 
He  shed  on  us  abundantly,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Saviour;  that,  being  justified  by  His  grace,  we  should  be 
made  heirs  according  to  the  hope  of  eternal  life." 

If  justification  be  considere<l  in  its  full  extent,  neither 
Christ's  work  without  us,  in  the  prepared  body,  nor  His 
work  within  us,  by  His  Holy  Spirit,  is  to  be  excluded ; 
for  both  have  their  place  and  service  in  our  complete 
justification.  By  the  propitiatory  sacrifice  of  Christ 
without  ns,  we,  truly  repenting  and  believing,  are, 
through  the  mercy  of  God,  justified  from  the  imputation 
of  sins  and  transgressions  that  are  past ;  and  by  the 
mighty  work  of  Christ  witliin  us,  the  ])ower,  nature  and 
habits  of  sin  are  destroyed  ;  that,  as  sin  once  reigned 
unto  death,  even  so  now  grace  reigneth,  through  right- 
eousness, unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

OF  THE  RESURRECTIOJT. 

Concerning  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  what  the 
Holy  Scriptures  plainly  declare  and  testify  in  these 
matters,  we  have  been  always  ready  to  embrace.  How 
belt,  we  esteem  it  very  unnecessary  to  dispute  or  question 
how  the  dead  are  raised,  or  with  what  body  they  come ; 
V)ut  rather  submit  that  to  the  wisdom  and  pleasure  of 
Almighty  God. 


3c4 


APPENDIX. 


Upon  this  interesting  subject  it  is  sufficient  to  refer  tc 
the  teacliings  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  the  writ- 
ings of  the  Apostles  upon  it. 

OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 

We  believe  the  Holy  Scriptures  were  wiitten  by  divine 
inspiration,  and  contain  a  declaration  of  all  the  funda- 
mental doctrines  relating  to  eternal  life  and  salvation ; 
and  whatever  doctrine  or  practice  is  contrary  to  them, 
is  to  be  rejected  as  false  and  erroneous;  that  they  are  a 
declaration  of  the  mind  and  will  of  God  to  man. 

"We  believe  they  were  written  for  our  learning,  that 
we,  through  patience  and  comfort  of  the  Scriptures, 
might  have  hope ;  and  that  they  are  able  to  make  wise 
unto  salvation,  through  faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 
We  look  upon  them  as  the  only  fit  outward  judge  and 
test  of  controversies  among  Christians,  and  are  willing 
that  all  our  doctrines  and  practices  should  be  tried  by 
them,  freely  admitting  that  whatsoever  any  do,  pretend- 
ing to  the  Spirit,  which  is  contrary  to  the  Scriptures,  be 
condemned  as  a  delusion. 

As  there  is  one  Lord  and  one  faith,  so  there  is  one 
baptism.  We  believe  it  is  the  cleansing  operation  of  the 
holy  spirit  in  the  heart,  subduing  its  fro  ward  nature,  and 
bringing  it  into  conformity  to  the  divine  will. 

The  distinction  between  the  baptism  of  John  and  that 
of  Christ  by  the  Spirit  is  clearly  set  forth  :  "  I  indeed  bap- 
tize you  with  water  unto  repentance  ;  but  He  that  cometh 


APPENDIX.  385 

after  rae  is  mightier  than  I,  whose  shoes  I  am  not  wor- 
thy to  bear  :  He  shall  baptize  you  with  the  Holy  Ghost 
and  with  fire :  whose  fan  is  in  His  hand,  and  He  will 
thoroughly  purge  His  floor,  and  gather  His  wheat  into 
the  garner ;  but  He  will  burn  up  the  cl  aff  with  un- 
quenchable fire." 

True  Christian  baptism  is  the  work  of  Christ  himself; 
whereby  the  soul  is  baptized  into  His  Siirit,  and  adorned 
with  His  virtues;  for,  "as  many  as  are  baptized  into 
Christ  have  put  on  Christ ; "  and  "  if  any  man  be  in 
Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature  :  old  things  are  passed  away, 
behold  all  things  are  become  new,  and  all  things  of  God. 


OF   THE  SUPPER. 

llcSJ)6c!ting  the  communion  of  Christ,  we  believe  it  is 
inward  and  spiritual,  by  which  the  inward  man  is 
daily  nourished  in  the  heart  of  those  in  whom  Christ 
dwells,  of  which  the  breaking  of  bread  by  the  Lord 
Jesus,  with  his  disciples,  at  the  last  Jewish  passover  supper 
previous  to  his  crucifixion,  was  a  figure.  We  believe  the  ' 
essential  communion  between  Christ  and  his  church,  is 
only  maintained  by  a  participation  of  His  divine  nature, 
through  faith  and  obedience,  and  is  the  supper  alluded 
to  in  the  Revelations :  "  Behold  I  stand  at  the  door  and 
knock ;  if  any  man  hear  ifly  voice  and  open  the  door,  1 
will  come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup  with  him,  and  hei  with 
nie." 


386 


OF    WOKSniP. 


Being  fully  persuaded  that  man,  without  the  Spirit  of 
Christ  inwardly  revealed,  can  do  nothing  to  the  glory  of 
Ood,  or  to  effect  his  own  salvation,  we  believe  that  this 
divine  influence  is  essentially  necessary  to  the  perform- 
ance of  the  highest  act  of  which  the  human  mind  is  ca" 
pable — the  worship  of  Almighty  God  in  spirit  and  in 
truth — which  is  no  less  than  holding  intercourse  with  the 
Father  of  spirits,  and  offering  the  tribute  of  homage  and 
adoration  to  the  high  and  lofty  One,  who  inhabiteth 
Eternity,  whose  name  is  Holy,  but  who  condescends 
also  to  dwell  with  him  that  is  of  a  contrite  and  humble 
spirit.  As  God  is  a  Spirit,  and  they  that  worship  Him 
must  worship  Him  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  acceptable  wor- 
ship cannot  be  offered  but  through  the  assistance  of  the 
Spirit  of  Christ,  He  being  our  Mediator,  by  whom  only 
we  can  approach  unto  God,  and  from  w^hom  we  must  de- 
rive, for  this  engagement,  both  the  preparation  of  the 
heart  and  the  answer  of  the  tongue.  In  order  to  experi- 
ence this  necessary  qualification,  it  is  our  duty  to  have 
the  mind  withdrawn  from  all  outward  objects,  and  rever- 
ently and  humbly  to  wait  upon  the  Lord  in  the  silence  of 
all  flesh ;  that  so  he  may  be  pleased,  through  the  reve- 
lation of  His  spirit,  to  give  us  a  true  sense  of  our  needs, 
and  a  knowledge  of  His  will,  and  enable  us  to  present  an 
ofl'ering  well  pleasing  in  His  sight.  Those  who  thus  wait 
upon  the  Lord,  and  depend  upon  the  assistance  of  His 
spirit,  however  small  their  number  or  solitary  their  situ- 


APPENDIX.  387 

ation,  are  the  true  worshippers,  whom  the  Father  seeketh 
to  worship  Him. 

OP   MINISTRY. 

As  it  is  the  prerogative  of  the  great  Head  of  tli 
Church  alone,  to  select  and  call  the  ministers  of  Hir* 
Gospel,  so  we  believe  both  the  gift  and  qualification  to 
exercise  it  must  be  derived  immediately  from  Him;  and 
that,  as  in  the  primitive  church,  so  now  also,  He  confers 
them  on  women  as  well  as  on  men,  agreeably  to  the 
prophecy  recited  by  the  apostle  Peter :  "  It  shall  come  to 
pass  in  the  last  days,  saith  God,  I  will  pour  out  of  my 
Spirit  upon  all  flesh ;  and  your  sons  and  your  daughters 
shall  prophesy ;"  respecting  which  the  apostle  declares : 
"  tlie  promise  is  unto  you  and  to  your  children,  and  to  all 
that  are  afar  oiF,  even  as  many  as  the  Lord  our  God  shall 
cull."  As  this  gift  is  freely  received,  so  it  is  to  be  freely 
exercit^ed,  in  simple  obedience  to  the  will  of  God, 

The  apostle  Paul,  in  speaking  of  his  ministry,  declares  : 
''  I  neither  received  it  of  man,  neither  was  I  taught  it, 
but  by  the  i-evelation  of  Jesus  Clirist ;"  that  the  exercise 
of  it  was  not  in  the  words  winch  man's  wisdom  teachetl), 
but  which  the  Holy  Ghost  teacheth ;  and  that  his  speech 
and  his  preaching  was  not  with  enticing  words  of  man's 
wisdom,  but  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  power  : 
that  the  faith  of  his  hearers  miglit  not  stand  in  the  wisdom 
of  men,  but  in  the  power  of  God.  All  the  Apostles  and  true 
ministers  in   the  church  of  Christ  were  and  are  so  called 


388  APPENDIX. 

and  qualified  ;  even  those  who  had  been  the  companioD* 
of  Christ  in  the  flesh  were  commanded  to  tarry  at  Jerusa- 
lem, till  they  were  endued  with  power  from  on  high  ; 
clearly  proving  that  nothing  but  power  from  on  high, 
renewedly  furnished,  can  enable  men  to  preach  the  Gos- 
pel. 


OF  PRAYEB. 

Although  we  are  commanded  to  watch  and  pray  con- 
tinually, neither  of  which  can  be  done  without  divine  help, 
yet  we  believe  that  the  solemn  duty  of  vocal  prayer  re- 
quires a  special  impulse,  and,  in  our  addresses  to  the  throne 
of  Grace,  it  becomes  us  to  remember  that  we  are  but  dust, 
that  He  who  is  glorious  in  holiness,  fearful  in  praises, 
doing  wonders,  should  be  approached  with  holy  fear  and 
reverence. 

We  are  emboldened  to  draw  near  to  Him  in  living 
faith,  for  the  Spirit  also  helpeth  our  infirmities ;  for  we 
know  not  what  we  should  pray  for  as  we  ought.  He 
that  searcheth  the  hearts,  knoweth  what  is  the  mind  of 
the  Spiiit,  because  he  maketh  intercession  for  the  saints, 
according  to  the  will  of  God. 

Our  Lord,  when  personally  on  earth,  adverted  particu- 
lai'ly  to  this  subject.  How  short  and  simple,  yet  how 
comprehensive,  is  the  prayer  which  He  commended  to 
Uis  disciples  in  His  sermon  on  the  mount ! 


War  results  from  and  encourages  the  evil  passions  of 
the  liumau  mind.  It  conflicts  with  and  is  a  violation  of 
the  principles,  precepts  and  injunctions  of  the  Gospel, 
which  breathes  peace  on  earth  and  good  will  toward 
men.  It  is  entirely  incompatible  with  the  commands  of 
our  holy  Redeemer ;  "  I  say  unto  you,  that  ye  resist  not 
evil " — "  Love  your  enemies,  bless  them  that  curse  you, 
do  good  to  them  which  despitefully  use  you  and  per- 
secute you,  that  ye  may  be  the  children  of  your  Fa- 
ther which  is  in  heaven :  for  he  maketh  His  sun  to  rise 
on  tlie  evil  and  on  the  good,  and  sendeth  rain  on  the  just 
and  on  the  unjust." 

We  believe  that  the  emphatic  prayer  of  our  Lord ; 
"  forgive  us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debtors,"  and 
His  declaration :  "  if  ye  forgive  not  men  their  trespasses, 
neitlier  will  your  Father  forgive  your  trespasses,"  con- 
tinue of  binding  force  upon  every  professor  of  the  re- 
ligion of  the  Prince  of  Peace. 

* 
And  we  believe  that  no  divine  injunction  or  command, 

that  is  binding  upon  individuals,  under  the  Christian  dis- 
pensation, can  be  abrogated,  or  rendered  void,  by  any 
number  of  individuals  in  a  collective  capacity,  as  nations 
or  otherwise. 

The  reign  of  Jesus  Christ  is  particularly  distinguishe<l 
by  its  benign  influence  upon  the  heart  of  man,  regulat- 
ing his  passions  and  propensities,  and  inspiring  him  with 
love  to  God  and  towards  the  whole  human  family.     The 


390  APPENDIX. 

prophet  Isaiah,  in  the  openings  of  heavenly  light,  foresaiv 
the  coming  and  government  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  and 
emphatically  describes  its  peaceable  effects  in  these  words : 
"  The  wolf  also  shall  dwell  with  the  lamb,  and  the  leopard 
shall  lie  down  with  the  kid,  and  the  calf,  and  the  y<»ung 
lion,  and  the  fatling  together,  and  a  little  child  shall 
lead  them.  They  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all  my 
holy  mountain,  for  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  Lord,  as  the  watei*s  cover  the  sea." 


In  regard  to  oaths,  we  believe  we  are  bound  by  the 
express  command  of  our  Lord  :  "  Swear  not  at  all,  but  let 
your  communication  be  yea,  yea,  nay,  nay ;  for  whatso- 
ever is  more  than  these  cometh  of  evil ; "  and  that  of  the 
apostle  James :  "  But  above  all  things,  my  brethren, 
swear  not ;  neither  by  heaven,  neither  by  the  earth,  nei- 
ther by  any  other  oath ;  but  let  your  yea  be  yea,  and 
your  nay,  nay,  lest  ye  fall  into  condemnation ; "  and 
therefore  we  refuse,  for  conscience  sake,  either  to  ad- 
minister or  take  an  oath. 


POETRY. 


THE  LITTLE  WHILE. 

"  VThat  is  this  that  he  saith,  A  little  whUe  ?  "— Jolut  xvi.  18. 
Oh  !  for  the  peace  which  floweth  as  a  river, 

Making  life's  desert  places  bloom  and  smile; 
Oh  I  for  the  faith  to  grasp  heaven's  bright  "  for  ever," 

Amid  the  shadows  of  earth's  "  little  while  ! " 

**  A  little  while,"  for  patient  vigil  keeping, 
To  face  the  stern,  to  wrestle  with  the  strong; 

"A  little  while,"  to  sow  the  seed  with  weeping, 
Then  bind  the  sheaves  and  sing  the  harvest  song. 

•*  A  little  while,"  to  wear  the  weeds  of  sadness. 
To  pace,  with  weary  step,  through  miry  ways; 

Then  to  pour  forth  the  fragrant  oil  of  gladness, 
And  clasp  th 'j  girdle  round  the  robe  of  praise, 

"  A  little  while,"  midst  shadow  and  illusions. 
To  strive  by  faith,  love's  mysteries  to  spell; 

Then — read  each  dark  enigma's  bright  solution  ; 
Then — hall  sight's  verdict,  **  He  doth  all  things  well.'' 

"A  little  while,"  the  earthen  pitcher  taking 
To  wayside  brooks,  fiom  far-off, fountains  fed  ; 

Then  the  cool  Up  its  thi.st  for  ever  slaking. 
Beside  the  fulness  of  the  Fountain-head. 

"  A  little  while"  to  keep  the  oil  from  failing ; 

"A  little  while"  faith's  flickering  lamp  to  trim; 
And  then,  the  Bridegroom's  coming  footstep  hailing, 

To  haste  to  meet  Him  with  the  bridal  hymn. 

And  He,  who  is  Himself  the  Gift  and  Giver, 
The  future  glory  and  the  present  smile, 

With  the  bright  t^romise  of  the  glad  "  for  ever," 
Will  light  the  shadows  of  the  "little  while." 

Jane  Crewdson. 


394 

SAFE  IN  HEAVEN. 

When  worldly  sorrows  overwhelm, 

And  worldly  hope  her  trust  betrays, 
I  think  upon  that  golden  realm 

Whose  Eden-glory  ne'er  decays  ; 
I  call  to  mind  that  Angel  band 

For  whom  the  chains  of  Earth  are  riven — 
Companions  o'er  life's  desert  sand — 

TheEarl}'^  Called,  now  safe  in  Heaven. 

O  Stars  gone  out  in  morning's  light  I 

Redeemed  to  Joj'^'s  unclouded  clime, 
We  linger  till  the  noon  and  night. 

Along  the  stormy  coasts  of  Time, 
Your  shining  troop,  that  fairer  shore 

Illumes,  to  guide  us,  tempest-driven, 
When  hapl}'  soon,  our  wanderings  o'er. 

We'll  join  your  anthem — safe  in  Heaven. 

Edward  Brown. 


The  following  lines,  the  author's  last,  were  dictated  by  her  af- 
ter a  day  of  intense  suffering : 

Oh  !  Saviour !  I  have  nought  to  plead, 
In  earth  beneath,  or  heaven  above; 

But  first  my  own  exceeding  need, 
And  thy  exceeding  love. 

The  need  will  soon  be  past  and  gone. 
Exceeding  great,  but  quickly  o'er: 

The  love  unbought  is  all  thine  own, 
And  lasts  for  evermore  ! 

Jane   Crewdbon. 


395 
PEACE,  BE  STILL. 

"  Then  He  arose  aud  rebuked  the  winds  and  the  sea ;  and  there  was  a  great 
ealm."— Matthew  viii.  26, 

One  vvcfrd  from  Thee,  my  Saviour, 

Would  hush  the  storm  to  rest ; 
And  cahn  the  rolHng  waves  that  sweep 

Across  tliis  troubled  breast. 

One  look  would  pour  down  sunshine, 

Upon  the  midnight  deep; 
I  know  thou  art  on  board  my  barque, 

And  yet  thou  seem'st  to  sleep. 

I  hear  the  surging  billows ! 

The  ship  begins  to  fill ! 
And  yet  I  hear  no  loving  voice. 

Which  speaketh, "  Peace,  be  still." 

When,  when  wilt  Thou  awaken. 

And  smooth  the  troubled  -wave  ? 
Oh!  can'st  Thou  not?  we  perish,  Lord, 

Unless  Thou  rise  and  save. 

Yet  midst  the  toss  and  tumult, 

I  clasp  a  saving  arm  ; 
And  clinging  to  its  s'rength,  the  storm 

Is  safer  than  the  calm  ! 

Kg  bark  hath  ever  foundered. 

With  such  a  Friend  on  board, 
No  soul  was  ever  cast  away 

With  such  a  Saviour,  lyrrd. 

Jane  Crewdson. 


396 
THE  QUAKER   OF  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 

AK  ARGUMENT  FOR  FREE  PRODUCE. 

The  Quaker  of  the  olden  ti|jj:ie ! — 

How  calm,  and  firm,  and  true! 
Unspotted  by  its  wrong  and  crime, 

He  walked  the  dark  earth  through  1 
The  lust  of  power,  the  love  of  gain, 

The  thousand  lures  of  sin 
Around  him,  had  no  power  to  stain 

The  purity  within. 

With  that  deep  insight,  which  detects 

All  great  things  in  the  small, 
And  knows  how  each  man's  life  aflFects 

The  spiritual  life  of  all, 
He  walked  by  faith  and  not  by  sight, 

By  love  and  not  by  law  ; — 
The  presence  of  the  wrong  or  right, 

He  rather  felt  than  saw. 

He  felt  that  wrong  with  wrong  partakes, 

That  nothing  stands  alone, 
That  whoso  gives  the  motive,  makes 

His  brother's  sin  his  own. 
And  pausing  not  for  doubtful  choice 

Of  evils  great  or  small, 
He  listened  to  that  inward  voice 

Which  called  away  from  all. 

Oh !  spirit  of  that  early  day  I 

So  pure  and  strong  and  true. 
Be  with  us  in  the  narrow  \fay 

Our  faithful  fathers  knew. 


397 

Give  strength  the  evil  to  forsake, 

The  cross  of  Truth  to  bear, 
And  love  and  reverent  fear  to  make 

Our  daily  lives  a  prayer  I 

J.  G.  Whittimr. 


QUAKER  WORTHIES. 

George  Fox,  George  Fox, 

The  munition  of  rocks 
"Was  thy  shield  in  the  hot  day  of  battle, 

At  the  flash  of  tliy  sword, 

In  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
Thy  foes  vyere  as  dumb,  driven  cattle. 

William  Peun,  William  Penn, 

In  the  annals  of  men, 
Thy  fame  stands  as  true  as  the  dial ; 

Some  Macaulfiy  may  think 

He  can  dip  thee  in  ink, 
But  he  blackens  himself  by  the  trial. 

Robert  Barclay,  brave  Barclay, 

If,  through  a  glass,  darkly, 
Thy  spirit  our  progress  has  heeded. 

We  fear  it  may  seem 

That  for  us  down  the  stream. 
There's  another  apology  needed  I 

EdWAKD  BROWIf . 


398 
A  MEMORIAL  OF  MARY  DYER. 

ONE    OF   THE    EARLY    WORTHIES    AXD    MARTYRS    IN    THB 
SOCIETY    OF    FRIENDS. 

We,  too,  have  had  our  martyrs.     Such  wert  thou, 
Illustrious  woman  !  though  the  starry  crown 

Of  martyrdom  has  sate  on  many  a  brow, 
In  the  world's  eye,  of  far  more  wide  renown. 

Yet  the  same  spirit  grac'd  thy  fameless  end, 
Which  shone  in  Latimer  and  his  compeers; 

Upon  whose  hallow'd  memories  still  attend 
Manhood's  warm  reverence,  childhood's  guileless  tears. 

Well  did  Vipy  win  them  :  may  they  keep  them  longl 
Thdr  names  require  not  praise  obscure  as  mine ; 

Nor  does  my  muse  their  cherish'd  memories  wrong, 
By  this  imperfect  aim  to  honor  thine. 

Heroic  martyr  of  a  sect  despis'd  ! 

Thy  name  and  memory  to  my  heart  are  dear, 
Thy  fearless  zeal,  in  artless  childhood  priz'd, 

The  lapse  of  years  has  taught  me  to  revere. 

Thy  Christian  worth  demands  no  poet's  lay, 
Historian's  pen,  nor  sculptor's  boasted  art: 

What  could  the  brightest  tribute  these  can  pay 
To  thy  immortal  spirit  now  impart  ? 

Yet  seems  it  like  a  sabred  debt  to  give 
The  brief  memorial  thou  mayst  well  supply ; 

Whose  life  display'd  how  Christians  ought  to  live ; 
Whose  death — how  Christian  marfyi-s  calmly  die. 

Bernard  Barton. 


399 


THE  SHEPHERD'S  VOICE. 

♦•My  sheep  hear  my  voice."— John  x.  27. 

Oh  I  for  a  finely  tunnel  ear, 

The  Shepherd's  voice  to  hear  and  know  ; 
Both  when  it  speaks  distinct  and  clear, 

And  when  it  whispers  soft  and  lowl 

An  ear  to  heed  each  warning  word. 

To  hearken  for  each  gracious  tone ; 
And  when  the  "  stranger's"  voice  is  heard. 

To  know  it  from  the  Shepherd's  own. 

But  oh  !  when  doubts  and  fears  shall  dim 
The  pathway  of  the  Shepherd's  choice, 

'Tis  they  who  walk  most  close  to  Him, 
Who  best  can  hear  His  guiding  voice. 

'Tis  they  whose  path  is  safe  from  harm, 
'Tis  they,  who  know  the  good  from  ill ; 

And,  strengthened  by  His  mighty  arm. 
Are  strpng  to  do  His  holy  will. 

Then  grant  me,  Lord,  the  listening  ear, 
And  grant  the  Heaven-directed  eye ; 

The  faith  that  waits  Thy  voice  to  hear, 
The  love  that  keeps  me  ever  nigh. 

Jane  Crbwdsos. 


400 
LINES 

8UGOESTED  BY  SEEING  A  LITTLE  GIRL  READING  HER  BIBLE  Olf 
THE   STEP   OF  A  DOOR   IN   THE   STREET. 

Can'st  thou,  sweet  child  of  hope,  so  soon  forego 
The  playful  sports  thy  young  companions  love, 

And,  whilst  mature  minds  are  fixed  below, 
Raise  thy  first  wishes  to  the  realms  above  ? 

Whilst  on  the  cares  or  joys  of  life  intent, 

Each  eager  step  unheeded  passes  by, 
On  thee,  in  tender  love  and  hope,  is  bent 

Thy  Father's  ear— thy  God's  approving  eye. 

Oh !  lovely  pattern  of  that  infant  race, 
To  whom  the  Saviour's  blessing  once  was  given, 

When  He  declared,  this  His  redeeming  grace. 
Of  such  as  thee  should  be  the  saints  in  Heaven. 

Charlotte  Dudley, 


THE  NEGLECTED  CALL. 

When  the  fields  were  white  to  harvest,  and  the  laborers  were  few, 
Heard  I  thus  a  voice  within  me,  "  here  is  work  for  thee  to  do  ; 
Come  thou  up,  and  help  the  reapers,  I  will  show  thee  now  the 

way, 
C  >mc  and  help  them  bear  the  burden  and  the  toiling  of  the  day." 
"  For  a  more  convenient  season,"  thus  I  answered,  "  will  I  wait" 
And  the  voice  reproving  murmured, "  hasten,  ere  it  be  too  late." 

Yet  I  heeded  not  the  utterance,  listening  to  lo !  here — lo  1  there — 
I  lost  sight  of  all  the  reapers  in  whose  work  I  would  not  share ; 


401 

Followed  after  strange   devices— bowed  my  heart  to  gods  of 

stone^ 
Till  like  Ephraim  joined  to  idols,  God  well-nigh  left  me  alone ; 
But  the  angel  of  His  patience  followed  on  my  erring  track, 
Setting  here  and  there  a  landmark,  wherewithal  to  guide  me 

back. 

Onward  yet  I  went,  and  onward,  till  there  met  me  on  the  way, 

A  poor  prodigal  returning^  who,  like  me,  had  gcme  astray, 

And  his  faith  was  strong  and  earnest,  that  a  father's  house  would 

be 
Safest  shelter  from  temptation,  for  such  sinful  ones  as  he ; 
*'  Read  the  lesson,"  said  the  angel,  "  take  the  warning  and  re 

pent," 
But  the  wily  Tempter  queried,  "  ere  thy  substance  be  unspent? 

Hast  thou  need  to  toil  and  labor?  art  thou  fitted  for  the  work? 
Many  a  hidden  stone   to   bruise  thee,  in  the  harvest  field  doth 

lurk; 
There  are  others  called  beside  thee — and  perchance  the  voice  may 

be, 
But  thy  own  delusive  fancy,  which  thou  hearest  calling  thee — 
There  is  time  enough  before  thee,  all  thy  footsteps  to  retrace." 
Then  I  yielded  to  the  Tempter — and  the  angel  veiled  her  face. 

Pleasure  beckoned  in  the  distance,  and  her  syren  song  was  sweet, 
"  Through  a  thornless  path  of  flowers,  gently  I  will  guide  thy 

feet; 
Youth  is  as  a  rapid  river,  gliding  noiselessly  away, 
Earth  is  but  a  pleasant  garden  ;  cull  its  roses  whilst  thou  may; 
Press  the  juice  from  purple  clusters,  fill  life's  chalice  with  the 

wine, 
Taste  the  fairest  fruits  which  tempt  thee,  all  its  richest  fruits  are 

thine." 


402 

All !  the  path  was  smooth  and  easy— but  a  snare  was  set  therein, 
And  the  feet  were  oft  entangled  in  the  fearful  mesh  of  sin, 
And  the  canker  worm  was  hidden  in  the  rose-leaf  folded  up, 
Ani  the  sparkling  wine  of  pleasure  was  a  fatal  Circean  cup  ; 
All  its  fruits  were  Dead  Sea  apples,  tempting  onlj^  to  the  sight, 
Fair,  yet  filled  with  dust  and  ashes — beautiful,  but  touched  witii 
blight. 

"  Oh !    my  Father,"  cried   I  inly,  "  Thou  hast   striven — I  have 

willed, 
Now  the  mission  of  the  angel  of  Thy  patience  is  fulfilled ; 
I  have  tasted  earthly  pleasures,  yet  my  soul  is  craving  food. 
Let  the  summons  Thou  hast  given  to  Thy  harvest  be  renewed  ; 
I  am  ready  now  to  labor — wilt  Thou  call  me  once  again  ? 
I  will  join  Thy  willing  reapers  as  they  garner  up  the  grain." 

But  the  still  small  voice  within  me,  earnest  in  its  truth  and  deep. 
Answered  my  awakened  conscience,  "  As  thou  sowest  thou  shalt 

reap ; 
God  is  just,  and  retribution  follows  each  neglected  call; 
Thou  hadst  thy  appointed  duty  taught  thee  by  the  Lord  of  all. 
Thou  wert  chosen  —  but  another  filled  the  place   assigned   to 

thee, 
Henceforth  in  my  field  of  labor  thou  mayst  but  a  gleaner  be. 

"  But  a  work  is  still  before  thee  —see  thou  linger  not  again, 
Separate  the  chaff  thou  gleanest,  beat  it  from  among  the  grain. 
Follow  after  these  my  reapers,  let  thine  eyes  be  on  the  field. 
Gather  up  the  precious  handfuls  their  abundant  wheat-sheaves 

yield ; 
Go  not  hence  to  glean,  but  tarry  from  morning  until  night, 
Be  thou  faithful,  thou  mayst  yet  find  favor  in  thy  Master's  sight." 

H.  Lloyd. 


403 
"TELLE  EST  LA  VIE." 

Dost  thou  see  yon  air  bark  by  the  billows  upborne, 
Her  canvass  all  filled  with  the  fresh  breeze  of  morn  ? 
How  she  shines  i<n  the  sunbeam,  and  dashes  the  spray 
From  her  prow,  as  she  steadily  goes  on  her  way  ; 
Whilst  visions  of  joy  o'er  lier  mariners  come. 
Of  the  heart-cheering  welcome  that  waits  them  at  home. 
Dost  thou  see  her  ?— all  gladness,  all  gnice  and  all  motion, 
Like  a  sea-bird  at  play  on  the  lap  of  tlic  ocean. 

Mark  her  well, — wind  may  come  yet,— above  her  are  cloud? 

Already  the  hollow  breeze  sounds  in  her  shrouds; 

The  gale  blows  ahead,— she  has  shifted  her  course, 

She  reefs  in  her  mainsail,  and  bends  to  its  force ; 

O'er  her  slippery  deck,  see  the  rude  surges  sweep, 

There  !  now  she  is  lost  in  the  swell  of  the  deep ; 

Again  she  ascends  on  the  crest  of  the  wave, 

Now  plunges  down  headlong,  as  seeking  her  grave. 

Such  is  life!— the  young  mariner  views  with  delight 
His  fast-sailing  vessel,  well  freighted  and  light. 
Crowds  on  all  his  canvas,  steers  right  for  his  port, 
Nor  deems  that  the  tempest  shall  make  bim  its  sport. 
It  comes ;  and  the  billows  rl^e  high  to  o'erwhelm, 
His  wave-beaten  bark  w^ll  not  answer  her  helm. 
She  drives  towards  the  breakers,  all  human  aid  vain, 
The  force  of  that  wild-dashing  surge  to  restrain. 

Such  the  voj^age  of  life!  can  it  prosperous  be, 
Without  that  great  Pilot  who  governs  the  sea  ? 
Ask  thy  Saviour  to  take  but  the  helm  in  his  hand. 
Trust  not  thy  own  wisdom,  give  Him  the  command. 


404 

All-gracious  to  hear  thee,  all-mighty  to  save, 
His  voice  can  speak  peace  to  the  wind  and  the  wave, 
He  would  steer  thee  in  safety  amid  the  rude  blast, 
And  bring  thee  with  joy  to  the  liaven  at  last. 


Maria  Fox. 


THOUGHTS  IN  A  RELIGIOUS  MEETING. 

Though  few  in  number,  Father,  Lord  ! 

Slill  in  thy  name  we  come, 
To  wait  for  thy  inteachiug  word. 

Though  human  lips  be  dumb; 
Though  neither  sad  nor  joyful  tone 

Be  lent  to  mortal  ear. 
Thou,  thou,  who  knowest  the  heart  alone, 

Wilt  kindly  listen  here. 

The  while  a  cold  and  forraal  throng, 

"We  seem  to  mortal  eye, 
Thou  knowest  full  many  a  grateful  song, 

And  many  a  burdened  sigh, 
And  heartfelt  piayers  for  strength  and  grace, 

To  walk  from  error  free, 
Rise  from  this  silent  gathering  place, 

In  sounds  of  power  to  thee. 

The  few  that  here  are  wholly  thine, 

Who  tread  the  narrow  way. 
Told  -not  by  outward  seal  or  sign, 

Of  their  baptismal  day ; 
Thou  only  knowest  the  way  and  lime 

Their  covenant  begun, 
Thou  only,  when  they  seek  sublime 

Communion  with  Thy  Sm. 


405 

Join  me  to  these,  as  deep  to  deep, 

Their  way  be  still  my  choice ; 
My  soul  e'en  as  an  infant  keep, 

That  knows  its  parent's  voice. 
While  others  labor  in  thy  cause 

With  words  of  power  and  skill, 

Be  it  but  mine  to  know  thy  laws, 

To  love  thee  and  be  still. 

Avis  C.  Howland. 


SAFE   AT   SEA. 
"we  are  as  safe  at  sea— safer  in  the  storm  that  god 

SENDS   us,   than   IN   A   CALM  WHEN   WE   ARE 
BEFRIENDED   BY   THE   WORLD. 

Hast  thou  heard  the  loud  roar  of  the  turbulent  ocean, 
When  the  wintry  wind  over  its  bosom  has  passed, 

When  the  angry  waves  raged  in  their  wildest  commotion, 
And  death  seemed  to  ride  on  the  wings  of  the  blast? 

Hast  thou  seen  the  frail  bark  in  that  moment  of  anguish. 
Now  aloft  on  the  billow,  now  whelmed  in  the  surge, 

When  the  hopes  of  the  hard-toiling  mariner  languish, 
And  the  hollow  gale  sounds  in  his  ear  like  a  dirge  ? 

'Tis  the  moment  of  mercy— his  etForts  all  failing, 
She  appears  and  the  tempest  subsides  at  her  will; 

Her  voice,  o'er  the  tumult  of  waves,  is  prevailing, 
As  she  breathes  the  soft  accents  of— Peace !  be  ye  still. 

Go  on,  then,  thou  sea-beaten  vessel ;  and  borrow 
New  light  from  tins  darkness,  new  hope  from  this  fear, 

Let  thy  peril  to-djiy  teach  thfe  trust  for  to-morrow, 
In  storm  or  in  sunshine,  thy  Saviour  is  near, 

Maria  Fox. 


406 

LINES 

ON  THK  RETURN  OP  THE   COMET  IN   1835,  AFTER  AN  ABSENCE  OF 
SE\^NTY-FIVE  TEAKS. 

And  art  thou  here,  thou  wondrous  orb  of  light  ? 

And  hast  thou  brought  us  tidings  from  afar  ? 
Who,  in  thy  marvelous  and  viewless  flight, 

Hast  crossed  the  path  of  planet  and  of  star. 

Say,  didst  thou  with  those  sister  worlds  converse, 
That  roll  harmonious  round  our  central  sun  ? 

Canst  thou  not  aught  of  them  or  theirs  rehearse? 
Tell  us  what  hath  been  said,  or  thought,  or  done, 

Since  they  were  launched  in  trackless  fields  of  space, 

By  an  all-mighty  and  all-bounteous  hand  ? 
Do  they  contain  a  vile  or  sinless  race  ? 

Rebellious,  or  obeying  God's  command  ? 

Basking  at  will  in  heaven's  unclouded  light, 

Breathing  the  free  and  yet  untainted  air; 
Or  feeling  sin's  sharp  tooth  and  sorrow's  blight. 

As  we  poor  fallen  sons  of  Adam  are  ? 

Threescore  and  fifteen  yeare  their  course  have  sped. 
Since  thou  our  little  speck  of  earth  didst  see. 

And  they  are  numbered  with  the  silent  dead, 
Who  then  did  lift  their  eyes  to  gaze  on  thee. 

Fields  have  been  fought,  and  kings  uncrowned,  since  then, 
Despots  subdued,  and  throned  again  in  power; 

War  hath  made  havoc  of  the  sons  of  men, 
And  blood  hath  flowed  in  torrents,  since  that  hour. 

X'et  dark  as  are  the  lines  of  liistory's  page, 
E'en  we  can  speak  of  sunshine  from  above; 

On  us  hath  shone  a  star,  from  age  to  age, 
Whose  beams  are  pui-est  light,  and  truth,  and  love. 


4or 

That  star,  which  first  arose  on  Bethlehem's  plain, 
From  east  to  west  its  cheering  ray  hath  given  ; 

It  tells  of  peace  restored,  of  freedom's  reign. 
And  opes  a  brighter  paradise  in  heaven, 

Where  the  redeemed  of  earth,  in  ceaseless  strain. 
Shall  sing  the  triumph  of  their  Saviour's  power, 

When  thou,  fair  comet,  with  thy  radiant  train, 
And  all  yon  starry  host,  are  seen  no  more. 


Maria  Foil 


ON  SILENT  WORSHIP. 

Let  deepest  silence  all  around 

Its  peaceful  shelter  spread; 
So  shall  that  living  word  abound, 

The  word  that  wakes  the  dead. 

How  sweet  to  wait  upon  the  Lord 

In  stillness  and  in  prayer  ! 
What  though  no  preacher  speak  the  word, 

A  minister  is  there. 

A  minister  of  wondrous  skill 

True  graces  to  impart : 
He  teaches  all  the  Father's  will, 

And  preaches  to  the  heart. 

He  dissipates  the  coward's  fears, 

And  bids  the  coldest  glow  ; 
He  speaks ;  and  lo  !  the  softest  tears 

Of  deep  contrition  flow. 

He  knows  to  bend  the  heart  of  steel, 

He  bows  the  loftiest  soul ; 
O'er  all  we  think  and  all  we  feel, 

How  matchless  His  control  1 


408 

And  ah  !  how  precious  is  His  love, 

lu  tenderest  touches  given  : 
It  whispers  of  the  bliss  above, 

And  staj^s  the  soul  on  heaven. 

From  mind  to  mind,  in  streams  of  joy, 

Tlie  holy  influence  spreads ; 
'Tis  peace,  'tis  praise  without  alloy, 

For  God  that  influence  sheds. 

'Twas  thus,  where  God  himself  is  known 

To  shine  without  a  cloud. 
The  angel  myriads  round  His  throne, 

In  solemn  silence  bow'd. 

And  all  were  still  and  silent  long, 

Nor  dared  one  note  to  raise. 
Till  burst  the  vast  ecstatic  song, 

And  heaven  was  fill'd  with  praise. 


J.  J.  G 


THOUGHTS  m  A  PLACE   OF   WORSHIP. 

This  is  the  place  for  solemn  thought ; 

Here  prayer  on  silence  steals  ! 
And  here  His  word,  with  healing  fraught, 

God  to  the  soul  reveals. 

Watching  and  waiting  at  Thy  throne, 

Me,  Lord,  again  behold  : 
Then  deign  to  make  Thy  presence  known, 

And  call  me  to  Thy  fold. 

Far  from  the  wheat  the  chaff  remove. 

The  gold  from  dross  set  free. 
Till  nauglit  remain,  save  that  pure  love, 

Which  lift-^  the  soul  to  Thee.  A.  Opie. 


409 

STEPHEN  GRELLET. 

Grellet,  the  glorious  river  of  thy  life 

Has  reached  its  goal  in  the  immortal  sea. 

Thine  was  the  power  of  conquest — not  the  strife ; 

For  God,  to  do  His  pleasure,  worked  in  thee. 

Prepared  and  blest  thy  labors ;  and  thine  eye, 

Was  ever  to  tJiy  Master;  and  thy  soul 

O'erflowed  to  all  with  his  reclaiming  Love. 

In  thee  were  joined  the  Eagle  and  the  Dove: 

As  a  brave  torrent,  born  in  mountains  high. 

Leaps  through  romantic  gorges,  scorns  control, 

Wast  thou,  till  God's  sweet  voice  o'ercame  thy  soul, 

And  led  thee  through  the  wide  world's  winding  vales, 

Where  cot,  and  dungeon,  and  the  kingly  hall 

Heard,  in  thy  Saviour's  name,  thy  bold,  love-pleading  call ! 

Love-pleading  call ! 

Edward  Brown,  1855. 


"HINDER  ME  NOT." 

Traveler!  whither  away  so  fast? 
The  break  of  morn  is  scarcely  past ; 
Thou  hast  hours  enough  before  thee  yet, 
To  reach  thy  goal  ere  yon  sun  be  set ; 
Regions  of  beauty  around  thee  lie. 
Pass  them  not  unheeded  by. 

Stranger !  mark  well  that  orb  on  high, 
Far  it  hath  climbed  the  clear  blue  sky, 
Since  first  it  rose  on  my  eager  sight, 
Bathing  yon  hills  in  a  flood  of  light: 
Short  is  the  distance  I've  come,  and  soon 
The  sun  will  have  gained  the  height  of  noon. 


410 

Traveler !  cast  one  glance  around, 

Where'er  thou  shalt  turn,  'tis  fairy  ground, 

Rest  thee  awhile  in  the  shadowing  bowers, 

'Mid  the  music  of  birds  and  the  perfume  of  flowers  ; 

Visions  of  gladness  around  thee  siiall  play, 

Thy  journey  is  toilsome,  and  thorny  thy  way. 

Stranger !  my  journey  is  toilsome,  *tis  true, 

But  its  glorious  end  I  have  ever  in  view  ; 

No  charms  of  this  earth  for  one  moment  compare 

With  the  mansions  of  mercy  prepared  for  us  there ; 

Then  tell  me  no  more  of  the  shade  of  these  bowers, 

Of  the  richness  of  fruits,  of  the  fragrance  of  flow^ers ; — 

I  may  not  thus  linger, — yon  sun,  how  he  gains  ! 

His  meridian  heat  he  already  attains  ; 

He  will  quickly  descend,  and  the  cloud-curtained  west, 

Arrayed  in  new  splendors,  receive  him  to  rest 

I  must  speed  with  the  ardor  of  faith  and  of  love. 

My  rest  is  on  high, — my  best  home  is  above. — Maria  Fox. 


TESTIMONIALS. 


From  the  Elmira  Daily  Advertiser. 

THOS.  K.  BEECHEB. 

As  at  present  advised,  if  compelled  to  make  choice  of  a 
denomination  and  be  known  as  a  member  of  it,  we  should 
elect  to  be  called  a  Friend  or  Quaker.  At  first  these 
Friends  were  called  "  Professors  of  the  light "  or  "  Chil- 
dren of  the  light,"  because  they  verily  believed  that  the 
liglit  of  Christ,  his  Spirit,  "shines  in  men's  hearts  to 
manifest  the  truth  and  reprove  for  sin."  All  Christians 
"believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost,"  or  spirit  of  God.  But 
the  Friends  are  the  only  ones  that  act  as  if  they  be- 
lieved til  at  this  same  Spirit  will  teach  us  all  things. 
Other  Christians  ask  for  guidance,  but  Friends  wait  till 
they  receive  it. 

In  the  fulness  of  their  peace  and  righteousness, 
Friends  have  erred  on  the  side  of  quietness  and  content. 
They  have  not  testified  with  becoming  vigor  so  as  to 
arrest  the  attention  of  an  infatuated  and  misguided  world. 
We  wish  tliat  Friends  had  been  propagandizers,  for 
theirs  is  a  truth  worth  propagating.  Latterly,  how- 
ever, two  or  three  yearly  meetings  have  signified  their 
api)roval  of  attempts  to  make  Friends'  doctrine  a  little 
better  known  to  intelligent  and  hjnest  world's  people. 


TESTIMONIALS. 

WiHi:ini  Henry  Cliase,  of  Union  Springs,  has  gath 
ered  up  choice  selections  from  the  writings  of  accepted 
Friends,  and  arranged  them  as  daily  readings — a  page  a 
day.  We  cannot  readily  name  another  book  that  will 
flavor  a  day  so  healthfully  by  reading  a  page  of  it  each 
morning. 

Consider  well  the  poetic  beauty  of  the  saying  about 
the  silent  meetings  on  page  3&.  Is  it  not  a  perfect  com- 
ment upon  the  words,  "  Wait  on  the  Lord  and  He  shall 
strengthen  thy  heart:  wait,  I  say,  on  the  Lord." 

To  all  students  getting  readv  to  preach,  and  to  all 
preachers  now  in  the  work,  we  commend  the  passage  01^ 
page  71. 

We  have  marked  at  least  a  score  of  gems  of  serene 
ray,  that  shine  tranquil  in  this  Quaker  treasure-house, 
and  we  cease  exhibiting  them  that  we  may  with  thi^f 
same  pen  write  our  thanks  to  the  compiler,  William 
Henry  Chase. 


FnoM  THE  Neav  York  Lidependent. 

THEODORE  L.  CUYLEU. 

I  rejoice  to  open  such  a  volume  as  "  Day  by  Day," 
lately  published  by  William  Henry  Chase,  of  Union 
Springs,  N.  Y.,  and  read  in  it  such  a  sentence  as  this: 
"There  is  scarcely  any  article  of  Christian  doctrine  in 
which  the  Society  of  Friends  have  more  fnllv  declared 


TESTIMONIALS. 


their  sir  cere  belief  than  in  the  proper  divinity  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ."  This  book  of  my  worthy 
friend  Chase  abounds  in  rich  and  rare  passages  culled  from 
the  writings  of  the  most  eminent  and  godly  Quakers. 
The  SAveet  faces  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  and  Hannah  Backhouse, 
and  Rebecca  Jones,  look  out  from  many  a  page.  In  it 
is  many  a  "  Daily  Reading  "  from  Thomas  Shillitoe,  the 
Quaker  shoemaker,  who  once  wrote  a  letter  to  King 
George  IV.  that  made  the  royal  rowdy  tremble.  Some 
of  the  most  fragrant  passages  in  the  volume  are  from  that 
meekest  of  modern  saints,  John  Woolman.  I  do  not 
doubt  that  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends  will  seek 
for  this  volume  eagerly,  and  it  may  be  had  from  the  pub- 
lishing house  of  Dennis  Bro's  &  Thorne,  in  Auburn,  N.  Y. 
After  being  worried  and  fretted  by  the  cares  or  con- 
troversies of  life,  I  love  to  take  down  a  Quaker  book 
sometimes,  and  to  bathe  in  its  quiet  stillness.  It  soothes 
one  like  a  sedative.  I  love  to  sit  beside  John  Gurney 
when  he  discourses  of  "  Redemption  "  and  of  "  Love  to 
God  ;  "  to  walk  with  Daniel  Wheeler  in  his  life  of  patient 
philanthropy ;  to  go  on  foreign  tours  of  benevolence 
with  Stephen  Grellet  and  William  Allen  ;  to  sit  in  the 
loving  conclaves  with  Forster,  and  Buxton,  and  Joseph 
Sturge ;  and  then  to  remember  that  at  the  heavenly 
gates  all  our  garments  of  sectarian  hue  (whether  Quaker 
drab  or  Presbyterian  blue)  will  be  laid  aside  for  that 
white  raiment  which  the  redeemed  of  every  clime  shall 
wear ! 


'  Blest  lie  the  tie  that  binds 
Our  hearts  in  Chrietian  iovo." 


.::^ 


TESTIMONIALS. 


From  the  Friends'*  Quarterly  Examiner^  London. 

This  book,  "  Day  by  Day,"  has  been  favorably  re- 
ceived in  America  by  those  amongst  whom  it  is  likely  to 
circulate,  as  containing  a  wide  and  extended  gleaning  from 
the  works  of  more  than  one  hundred  Friends — ancient 
and  modern. 

As  a  book  for  occasional  reading  and  meditative 
thouejht.  it  deserves  a  place  on  our  tables. 


It  will  afford  me  pleasure  to  aid  in  the  circulation  of 
such  a  valuable  book  as  "  Day  by  Day." 

Thy  friend,  Francis  T.  King. 

Baltimore,  Md. 

After  a  somewhat  cursory  examination  of  your  book 
entitled  "  Day  by  Day,  or  a  compilation  from  the  Writ- 
ings of  Friends,"  allow  me  to  express  an  opinion  of  its 
merits. 

Your  selections  are  good,  and  calculated  to  profit 
those  who  peruse  them  again  and  again^  as  they  will  be 
likely  to  do  with  your  "  Day  by  Day"  arrangement. 

The  book  will  be  especially  valuable  to  those  who  love 
the  Lord,  and  are  not  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends, 
in  that  it  furnishes  so  great  a  variety  of  matter  from  the 
writings  of  Friends ;  and  with  the  digest  of  doctrines 
lield  by  the  Orthodox  Friends  found  in  the  Appendix, 
will  make  other  Christians  who  peruse  the  book  famil- 
iar with  the  sentiments  of  a  sect  of  Christians  who  in 


TESTIMONIALS. 

their  Providential  sphere  are  accomplishing  a  good  work 
in  maintaining  and  defending  the  great  fundamental 
doctrines  of  the  Gospel  of  the  Son  of  God. 

With  kind  wishes  and  brotherly  affection,  I  am, 
Yours  fraternally, 

Frances  M.  Warner, 

Pastor  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
Union  'Springs,  N.  Y. 


I  have  no  doubt  many  will  be  blessed  in  prayerfully 
reading  thy  book,  "  Day  by  Day,"  in  connection  with  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  and  thou  wilt  be  blessed  in  yielding  to 
what  seemed  to  be  apprehended  duty. 

Cheerful  service  is  what  our  Heavenly  Father  calls  for, 
and  not  "waiting  for  the  woe,"  which  is  not  humble 
obedience. 

I  am  thy  attached  friend, 

LiNDLEY  M.  Ferris. 

POXTGHKEBPSIB,  N.  Y. 


I  am  called  a  Calvinist,  but  I  have  read  your  Quaker 
book,  "  Day  by  Day,"  with  unqualified  pleasure.  I 
swallow  the  whole  with  not  a  scowl  on  my  brow.  It  i- 
a  record  of  the  devotional  spirits,  and  the  Gospel  belief 
of  a  multitude  of  glorious  men,  and  brave,  beautiful 
women,  of  whom  the  world  was  not  worthy.  I  feel 
thankful  for  the  Creed  at  the  close  of  the  volume.     I 


TESTi:srONIALS. 

could  point  out  many  beauties  in  the  volume.  It  is  iny 
wish  and  prayer,  brother,  that  your  captivating  produc- 
tion may  charm  and  benefit  others  as  it  has  your  aftec- 
tionate  brother, 

G.  W.  Trask. 

FiTCHBURG,  Mass. 


The  Booh  Committee  of  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting  com- 
mend thy  book,  "  Day  by  Day,'^  and  would  be  glad  to 
see  a  copy  in  every  Friend's  family,  and  will  use  their 
influence  to  introduce  it. 

Timothy  Nicholson. 

Richmond,  Indiama. 


I  have  been  reading  your  valuable  compilation,  "  Day 
by  Day."  I  have  not  yet  read  it  through,  but  expect  to, 
in  course,  should  my  life  be  spared. 

The  great  mass  of  even  professing  Christians,  I  fear, 
in  this/as^  aye^  are  in  so  great  a  hurry  tliat  they  do  not 
take  time  to  think.  Meditation  seems  not  to  come  into  the 
account  with  too  many. 

This  living  by  the  day,  and  "  Day  by  Day  "  having  oui 
daily  bread,  is  a  great  thing.  May  your  book  do  much 
towards  this  way  of  living. 

Your  brother  in  Christ, 

Charles  Anderson, 

Pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
Savannah,  N.  Y. 


TESTIMONIALS. 

I  shall  print  extracts  from  your  book  "  Pay  by  Day" 
for  my  friends  to  read,  and  shall  return  to  it,  if  not  daily, 
at  least  often,  to  be  myself  refreshed  by  its  sentiment 
and  truth. 

Is  it  not  true  to-day  as  it  was  when  Peter  wrote  it — 
Prophecy  came  not  by  the  will  of  man,  but  holy  men  of 
God  speak,  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost  ? 

Farewell,  my  friend,  for  I  am  truly  yours, 

Thos.  K.  Beecher. 

EuiiRA,  N.  Y. 


Your  book,  "  Day  by  Day,"  exceeds  my  expectations, 
the  few  beautiful  poems  by  Jane  Orewdson  being  alone 
worth  more  than  the  price.  Believe  me  when  I  say  that 
it  will  be  one  of  my  choice  volumes,  and  number  me 
among  those  who  are  grateful  to  its  author. 

Yours  Truly,  Wm.  H.  Clark, 

Ltokb,  Watnk  Co.,  N.  Y. 


Thy  enterprise  will  serve  to  bring  before  many  in  an 
attractive  dress  the  literature  of  our  Society  in  thy 
"  Day  by  Day,"  of  which  I  apprehend  we  know  too  lit- 
tle. This  remark  will  apply  to  a  portion  of  it  at  least, 
both  ancient  and  new. 

I  was  struck  with  the  first  extract  from  George  Fox. 
How  thoroughly  evangelical.  It  is  a  great  comfort  at 
times  to  feel  that  in  the  administration  of  God^s  Divine 


TESTIMONIALS. 

Providence,  and  the  pointing  of  His  finger  towards  a 
given  work,  we  are  living  for  some  purpose.     Thou  may, 
I  apprehend,  humbly  yet  gratefully  take  this  consolation 
as  "  a  gleaner  "  in  the  great  field. 
Thy  assured  and  affectionate  friend, 

Gilbert  Congdon. 

Providencb,  R.  I. 


I  find  it  a  pleasant  engagement  to  circulate  a  good 
and  useful  book. 

I  have  commenced  reading  "  Day  by  Day,"  and  hope 
it  may  be  extensively  read  by  others.     I  think  all  who 
read  it  attentively  must  be  benefitted  thereby. 
Thy  affectionate  friend, 

David  Buffum. 

Newport,  R.  I. 


Having  perused  your  work,  "  Day  by  Day,"  with  plea- 
sure and  profit,  I  take  pleasure  in  giving  it  my  strongest 
commendation. 

If  the  memory  of  the  "just  is  blessed,"  then  to  se- 
lect and  republish  their  wise  and  well-timed  words  is 
but  a  pleasing  method  of  handing  down  their  memories 
to  succeeding  ages,  that  through  them  their  Lord  may 
still  be  honored.  For  these  words  themselves  the 
breathings  of  the  Spirit  shall  not  only  cast  a  precious 


TESTIMONIALS. 

halo  about  the  name  of  their  author,  but  with  each  re- 
petition they  shall  bear  a  power  for  good. 

God  speed  the  Third  Edition  of  "  Day  by  Day  "  on 
its  errand  of  love  and  service  for  Christ. 

Your  brother  in  Gospel  bonds, 

B.  B.  GiBBS, 

Pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
Union  Springs,  N.  Y. 


I  have  looked  over  "  Day  by  Day  "  with  great  de- 
light. 

It  is  a  compilation  of  the  best  thoughts  of  the  best 
minds  of  the  order  of  Friends. 

It  is  refreshing  to  turn  from  the  work-shop  of  labor  to 
this  garden  of  beauty.  It  rests  the  soul ;  here  we  breathe 
the  atmosphere  of  all  that  is  good  and  true. 

Hoping  it  may  meet  with  favor  with  all  classes  of 
Christians, 

I  remain  yours  truly, 

Albert  F.  Lyle, 

Pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
Union  Springs,  N.  Y. 


I  am  glad  that  thou  hast  produced  so  valuable  a  pub- 
lication as  "  Day  by  Day."  I  hope  it  will  be  a  blessing 
to  many,  and  have  a  wide  circulation. 

Thy  friend,  L    M.  Moore. 

ROCHESTEB,  N.  Y. 


TESTIMONIALS. 

Your  admirable  and  excellent  volume  "  Day  by  Day  " 
is  well  selected,  well  arranged,  and  well  printed. 
It  contains  much  precious  pasturage  for  Christ's  flock. 
You  have  your  reward  in  doing  this  work  of  love  for 
our  Divine  Master — a  book  for  daily  devotion. 

TuEO.  L.  Cutler. 

Brookltk,  N.  Y. 


It  must  be  a  delightful  reflection  to  thee,  that  thou 
hast  introduced  to  the  world  in  "Day  by  Day"  so  many 
choice  Friends,  which  our  history  of  more  than  two  hun- 
dred years  has  known. 

Wm.  II.  Potter. 
Batatia,  n.  y. 


1  trust  thou  will  have  a  peaceful  consciousness  of  hav- 
ing performed  an  acceptable  labor  of  love  in  "  Day  by 
Day,"  and  that  thou  hast  indeed  furnished  words  in  sea- 
son for  many  an  emergency.     Sincerely  thy  friend, 
Wm.  J.  Allinsox, 

Editor  of  Friends'  Review,  Philadelphia. 


Thy  new  book  "  Day  by  Day "  is  at  hand,  and  we 
are  much  pleased  wi'.h  it,  and  cannot  but  believe  it  will 
be  a  very  acceptable  and  valuable  work. 

Thy  friend,  Saml.  Colton. 

WoRCESTEB,  Mass. 


TESllMONIALS. 

I  have  looked  over  with  much  satisfaction  the  work 
"  Day  by  Day  "  recently  published  by  you,  and  regard 
it  as  a  valuable  book  for  family  reading,  and  especially 
adapted  for  those  whose  occupation  allows  them  but  little 
time  for  general  reading.  A  single  page  affords  a  profit- 
able topic  for  a  day's  reflection. 

Your  friend,  J.  S.  Seymour. 

AUBUBK,  N.  Y. 


1  like  thy  volume  "  Day  by  Day  "  very  much,  and  pray 
that  a  blessing  may  descend  upon  it.  I  have  been  reading 
it  with  interest  and  I  hope  instruction. 

Sincerely  and  affectionately  thy  friend, 

E.    P.    GURNEY. 

BURLINGTOlir,  N.  J. 


From  the  New  Bedford  Mercury, 

"Dat  bt  Day;  Being  a  Compilation  from  the  Writings  of  Ancient  and 
Modern  Friends."  By  Wm.  Henry  Chase,  of  Union  Springs,  N.  Y. 
Dennis  Bro's,&  Thorne,  Publialiereiv  Auburn,  N.  Y. 

The  author  of  the  above  volume  claims  to  be  only  a 
gleaner,  but  has  passed  through  a  field  extending  over 
two  centuries,  and  brought  in  a  rich  harvest  of  thoughts 
as  the  result  of  his  labor;  presenting  to  the  Society  of 
Friends,  and  other  Christian  denominations,  a  volume 
of  extracts  which  will  abundantly  repay  the  reader. 
Prompted  by  an  apprehension  of  duty,  the  compiler  had 


TESTIMONIALS. 

two  objects  in  bringing  the  book  before  the  public:  one 
to  introduce  a  number  of  witnesses  who  bear  testimony 
to  the  perceptible  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit — a  belief 
characteristic  of  the  Society  of  Friends ;  and  the  other, 
to  answer  the  inquiry  of  those  ignorant  of  the  position 
this  sect  occupies  among  other  sects,  as  well  as  to  fur- 
nish them  with  an  incentive  to  a  further  acquaintance 
with  its  history  and  literature. 

Both  those  objects  have  been  happily  accomplished  in 
the  handsome  volume  before  us. 

It  contains  extracts,  one  for  each  day  of  the  year, 
which  are  followed  by  an  appendix  giving  a  clear  and 
distinct  account  of  the  doctrines  of  Friends,  and  a  col- 
lection of  poetry  from  their  authors.  Though  designed 
especially  for  the  use  of  Friends,  it  is  a  volume  which 
will  be  acceptable  in  every  family. 


Having  used  thy  valuable  book  entitled,  "  Day  by 
Day,"  since  the  issue  of  the  first  edition,  I  desire  here- 
with to  express,  in  behalf  of  myself  and  family,  that 
the  work  contains  such  precious  gems  of  thought  from 
the  minds  of  so  many  worthy  Friends,  that  the  compila- 
tion we  highly  prize,  atid.  welcome  it  as  a  text-book  in  daily 
gleaning  for  religious  instruction  in  our  family  circle. 
Thy  friend, 

;  "  ■■•'^       Geo.  M.  Sisson. 


TESTIMONIALS. 


My  Dear  Friend  :  I  cannot  well  deny  myself  the  plea- 
sure of  telling  thee  that  I  have  been  looking  over  thy  little 
book,  "  Day  by  Day,"  with  much  satisfaction.  It  seems* 
to  me  to  have  been  carefully  and  conscientiously  compiled  : 
well  calculated  to  do  good  in  family  readings;  and  i<> 
call  attention  to  the  precious  fields  of  religious  literature 
from  which  its  contents  have  been  gleaned.  In  giving 
special  pre-eminence  to  the  best  thoughts  of  members  of 
our  religious  society,  it  shows  what  a  valuable  legacy  our 
predecessors  have  bequeathed  to  us.  I  have  long  wished 
to  see  the  writings  of  these  worthies  better  known  and 
appreciated.  A  wide  range  of  miscellaneous  reading  in 
every  department  of  literature  has  not  diminished  my 
interest  in,  and  love  for,  the  works  of  early  Friends — Penn, 
Barclay,  Sewell,  Story, — the  wonderful  journal  and  epis- 
tles of  George  Fox,  and  that  sweetest  and  purest  of  all 
books  outside  of  the  Moly  Scriptures,  the  Life  of  John 
Woolman.  Hoping  that  thy  book  may  have  a  wide  cir- 
culation, and  that  the  object  of  its  compilation  may  be 
realized  in  the  promotion  of  truth  and  righteousness, 
I  am  very  truly  thy  friend, 

John  G.  Whittier. 

Amesbttrt,  Mass.,  6th  Month  20, 1869. 


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ALL  BOOKS  MAY  BE  RECALLED  AFTER  7  DAYS 


DUE  AS  STAMPED  BELOW 

SENT  ON  ILL 

JAN  1  2  1998 

U.  C.  RPRKELE 

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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKELEY 
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